DEREKÖY, EŞME - UŞAK

Dereköy (Eşme/Uşak) is a multi-layered settlement with a historical continuity stretching back to antiquity, a continuity preserved to the present day through the stone memory of its cemetery. Traces of settlement from ancient times are visible in the region where the village is located; Divlit Mound, located approximately 2.5 km to the northeast, stands out as the most concrete evidence of this past with its remains from the Early Bronze Age and Roman periods. The settlement's entry into the written historical record is possible through Ottoman records. In 16th-century cadastral records, the village is referred to as "Dere"; by the end of the 19th century, it had become one of the important and populous settlements of the Eşme district. This shows that Dereköy was not merely a small rural settlement, but a regional center. However, what truly makes Dereköy's history unique are the monumental standing stones in the cemetery, locally called "balbal." Reaching three meters at the head and foot, these stones, unlike classic Ottoman gravestones, are uncarved and without inscriptions. With these characteristics, balballs are considered a continuation of the ancient burial tradition brought by the Turks from Central Asia to Anatolia. The fact that the oldest legible inscribed tombstone in the village cemetery dates back to 1820 indicates that the tradition of inscribed burials became established after this date. However, the older age of the balballs clearly shows that settlement in Dereköy began before this date. This suggests that a nomadic or semi-nomadic lifestyle prevailed in the village's early stages. This early period is associated with the founding figure known in the village's memory as "Karabey." In Turkish settlement tradition, a "bey" is the leader who guides the community and initiates settlement. It is highly probable that the monumental tomb, which stands apart from the others in the cemetery, belongs to Karabey, a bey from the Karakeçili tribe. This tomb is one of the most important material pieces of evidence showing that Dereköy was formed during the transition of a nomadic tribe to settled life. The settlement structure of Dereköy also supports this process. The village was formed around a core structure centered on the Karakeçili Yörük people, while the Gacar Yörük people settled around it. This reflects a typical example of the gradual transition of nomadic communities to settled life. The 19th century marks the period when settled life became definitive for Dereköy. The year 1820 represents the first inscribed tombstone, and 1850 the construction of the village mosque. These developments show that the social and religious structure in the village was institutionalized and the settlement became permanent. In conclusion, Dereköy is an Anatolian settlement that bears traces of settlement from ancient times; shaped under the leadership of the Karakeçili Yörük people; preserving the balbal tradition to the present day; and completing its settled identity in the 19th century. The balbals rising in the cemetery are the oldest and strongest witnesses to this long historical process, engraving Dereköy's past into stone.