Excavations in Hasankeyf, one of the world’s oldest settlements, first began in the 1980s with an aim to bring its hidden history to the surface.
Archaeological excavations at Hasankeyf Castle have re-started with the goal of bringing out and preserving what was once known as the strongest castle in the east. It was built in the 4th century by the Byzantines in the modern-day Turkish city of Batman.
The excavations at the 12,000-year-old castle first started in the 80s. And since then two rounds of excavations have been completed.
The Castle, also known as “Hisno Koyfa”, meaning rock fortress, had a religious function during the Byzantine rule that lasted for about 300 years. Later it was conquered by Emevis, Abbasids, Hamdanis, Mervanis, Artuks, Eyyubis and Ottomans respectively.
“The district, due to its historical assets, has been declared as a natural conservation area since 1981. These historical assets will probably have been under water due to Ilısu Dam in the scope of the GAP project,” according to Turkey’s Ministry Of Culture and Tourism.
“Therefore, the rescue excavations for movable historical and archaeological works of art are still being carried on,” the ministry’s website said. The historic city was evacuated after the dam, which generates electricity for southeastern Turkey, started filling downstream.
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