" buried fortress structures unearthed following centuries of concealment"
The ancient Asarkale fortress, nestled in the heart of Samsun, offers a captivating glimpse into the Hellenistic era. Built by Pontic King Mithradates VI Eupator around 400 years before the fortress was reoccupied, the site's history spans several eras, including the Byzantine and Seljuk periods.
Excavations at the fortress, which command trade routes and agricultural lands, have been ongoing for a year. Led by Kenan Sürül, director of the Samsun Archaeology Museum, a team of 19 individuals from Ondokuz Mayıs University is delving deep into the fortress's past.
Their efforts have unearthed a wealth of fascinating finds. Cisterns, a temple, a stepped tunnel, and command rooms have all been discovered, shedding light on the fortress's complex infrastructure. Associate Professor Kasım Oyarcın, an archaeologist at OMU’s Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, serves as the scientific consultant for the dig.
Among the most intriguing discoveries are a prison, a furnace, and several rooms, as well as numerous cannonballs, arrowheads, and coins. Unfortunately, around 150 cannonballs were retrieved in a burned state due to a fire.
Restoration work is set to begin next month, with the aim of rebuilding the fortress walls. Temporary restorations will also be carried out to prevent the excavated walls from collapsing. The project is being supported by the Samsun Governor's Investment Monitoring and Coordination Directorate, the Metropolitan Municipality, and the Bafra Municipality.
Hasan Dikmen, head of the Bafra Archaeology and Ethnography Museum, is optimistic about the future of the excavations, predicting that most of the architectural structures at Asarkale will be unearthed within one year. The fortress, which rises at a 45-degree angle over the Kızılırmak, continues to reveal its secrets, promising a thrilling journey into Turkey's rich history.
