The certain foundation date of Karaman province is not known. As a result of the archeological excavations, the oldest settlement findings about the Karaman province and its vicinity is determined to be after the year of BC 8000. The province had become a military and commerce center during the period of the Hittite civilization and had entered the reign of Frig and Lydia civilization. The province had been the capital of the Karamanoğlu State which was founded after the weakening of the Anatolian Seljuk State.