The Halikarnassos peninsula has a particular significance in the geography of ancient Karia. This prominent place relates to the idea that the peninsula was the land of the Lelegians who are described in various documents as the ancestors of the Karians. Research on Lelegian society and the identity of those people was initiated by the first explorers of the peninsula nearly two centuries ago. Following the long-term surface studies carried out in the peninsula by Wolfgang Radt in the 1970’s, we also conducted comprehensive excavations in Pedasa as well as rescue excavations in Termera which gave us the opportunity to review the basic issues of the early archaeology of the peninsula. The following article aims to present the results of our research conducted through long-term surveys and rescue excavations carried out in Termera and other sites of the peninsula, which should help to shed some light on the Lelegians and their settlement patterns1.