Acta Scientiarum Polonorum
Silvarum Colendarum Ratio et Industria Lignaria

This study provides a historical, geographical, and socio-cultural analysis of tar (katran) production and use in Türkiye, tracing its development from antiquity to the present. It integrates archival sources with contemporary field data to identify production centres, trade routes, and the cultural meanings embedded in tarrelated toponyms across western Anatolia and the Black Sea region. A systematic review of archival and academic literature was complemented by a qualitative synthesis of tar-making practices documented in Denizli (Acıpayam), Mersin (Çamlıyayla), and Antalya (Elmalı). Historical production sites and transportation routes were mapped, and toponyms containing katran, zift, püse, or bise were analysed to reveal the geographic legacy of tar-making. Kiln types (stone-lined, clay-plastered, metal-burnished) and fuel sources (pine, cedar, juniper) were recorded, while contemporary applications were classified into construction, medicinal and veterinary uses, and artisanal industries. The primary tar-producing areas are centred around the Kaz Dağları (Mount Ida) region, with production expanding significantly during the Ottoman period to support naval and military demands. Traditional kilns still operate in rural areas, yielding tar, pitch, and naphtha for domestic markets and limited export. Beyond its economic role, tar holds symbolic meanings in folklore, associated with both healing and social stigma, that continue to shape its cultural resonance. Tar production in Türkiye thus embodies dynamic historical networks and enduring ecological knowledge. Although industrialisation has diminished reliance on traditional methods, tar remains both a source of rural livelihood and a medium of cultural heritage. Policy implications include promoting sustainable harvesting, safeguarding traditional expertise, and integrating tar heritage into rural development and cultural preservation initiatives.