Serik Adına Dair
Concerning the Name “Serik”

Summary/Abstract: One of the ways of researching and revealing historical facts is to investigate toponomical memories in terms of etnonomical, etymological, and philological aspects. These names, which ancient nations left behind as cultural assets, could be used as historical evidence and definitions as well as etymological and philological ones. The name Serik which lies ahead of us like a complication in this subject is one of them. That it is the only and original name of residential area in Turkey also brings the subject into prominence. Even if there are two different opinions focusing on the point that the present name of Serik comes from the antique name Zerk that is within the borders of the same town or from Serik Nomads (Yoruks); the first one, Serik and Zerk are not at the same place and/or they are not close to each other; and the second one, no Oghuz tribes or clans called Serik exist rebut these arguments. However, an approach to the subject in terms of Serika/Turkistan origin of the nation residing in the present region of Serik and known as Serik Turks in history, the Silk Road running between Serik and Serika, and the phenomena of Serik nation merchandising silk on this road lead us to a more scientific and rational conclusion. In the research made, it is understood that the name serik comes from ser which is an ancient, originally Chinese or Turkish word and which means silk, but not from the word sericum which is supposed to be Latin. It arose from the name Serik Turks originally from Turkistan/Serika who settled in the town of Serik, but not from transformation of the name Zerk which is an ancient residential area, into Serik in time.

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