Göbeklitepe Archaeological Site
Göbeklitepe is perhaps one of the most significant sites on Earth. The site is near Örencik Village, about 22 kilometers northeast of the Şanlıurfa city center.
Göbeklitepe, which revolutionized the history of humanity, demonstrates that a cultural evolution occurred prior to the development of agricultural societies. Believed to be twelve thousand years old, the Göbeklitepe ruins feature an area of worship that have monumental columns, as well as reliefs depicting animals and other carvings. The age of the site indicates that the belief element of humanity emerged long before the beginning of agriculture and formed the basis for the emergence of cultivating civilizations.
If you are in Southeast Anatolia, a visit to Göbeklitepe should absolutely be on your list of places to visit. For more information, see our Blog: 5 questions about Göbeklitepe!
Mount Nemrut Archaeological Site
In the Kahta district of Adıyaman, the Nemrut Mountain Archaeological Site features ancient ruins and statues erected by the Commagenes, as well as stunning views.
The monumental statues on the top of Nemrut Mountain were erected as a symbol of gratitude to ancestors and gods during the rule of Antiochus I Soter, the Commagene king. Extending across the eastern, western, and northern terraces of the mountain, these structures are among the most beautiful examples of Hellenistic period art. As the Eastern terrace is considered the sacred center of the archaeological site, the most important ruins are in this area.
To have an even more unforgettable experience on the mountain, check out our Blog: In pursuit of the perfect photo: Sunrise at Nemrut!
Yesemek Open Air Museum
The Yesemek Open-Air Museum in Gaziantep’s İslâhiye district is set on an area of 110 decares; 518 sculptures – of lions, chariots, mountain gods and more – were unearthed during excavations and are now exhibited in the open-air museum.
Yesemek is believed to have been the largest quarry and sculpture workshop in the Near East during the eighth century BC. The statuary at the site shows influences from the Hittite, Syrian, Aramaic and Assyrian periods; the site is also considered the origin of the “Orientalism” movement, which later became the core of Greek art.
Dara Archaeological Site
The Dara Archaeological Site, 30 kilometers northeast of Mardin, is one of the oldest cities of Old Mesopotamia. Claimed by the Eastern Roman Empire as a garrison town, Dara, just a few kilometers from the Persian border, was the scene of several battles, including one believed to have been between Alexander the Great and the Persian emperor Darius. In later years, Dara came under the rule of the Umayyads and Abbasids and, in the fifteenth century, the Turks.
The rock-carved structures of Dara include tombs and waterways, as well as ruins of a church, a palace, a bazaar and a dungeon. The cave houses around the city, dating to the Late Roman period, are also quite impressive!
Zerzevan Castle and the Mithraeum
In the Çınar district of Diyarbakır, Zerzevan Castle dates to the ninth century BC. It was believed to be the easternmost garrison of the Roman Empire and was used continuously until the conquest by Islamic armies in 639 AD. The Castle has both above-ground and subterranean structures, including the eighteen-hundred-year-old rock-carved Mithraeum; this is one of the few known temples of the Mithras religion, which was thought to have originated in Persia and been practiced by Roman soldiers who were stationed there. Zerzevan Castle and the Mithraeum are on the Tentative List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Körtik Tepe
Adjacent to Ağıl Village in the Bismil district of Diyarbakır, Körtik Tepe is between the Botan Stream and the Tigris River. Excavations have revealed a number of intriguing remains; archaeological discoveries such as pattern marks showing bone needle and weaving stages point to a continuous settlement in Körtik Tepe.
We wish you a pleasant journey!
