Exploring Türkiye's Ancient Treasures: From Harput Citadel to Mount Nemrut
In a significant move, Turkey recently underwent a name change, transforming into Turkiye (pronounced as "tur-key-yay"), as emphasized by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. This shift is hailed as a substantial rebranding effort to represent "the culture, civilization, and values of the Turkish nation in the best way," and some suggest it's to distance from any avian associations with the previous name.
Despite this drastic decision after 400 years, what remains unchanged is Türkiye's extensive history spanning thousands of years, predating even the advent of Islam, the nation's religion. Thankfully, archaeologists have diligently excavated the eastern Turkish land, unveiling layers of ancient societies strategically built atop each other.
Embarking on the UNESCO heritage route, I took a flight from Heathrow to Istanbul, spending a night to catch a glimpse of this splendid city and relish the enchanting night view over the Bosphorus River.
At sunrise, I boarded the connecting flight to Elazig to explore the first ancient city, Harput, and make a brief visit to a vineyard in Eskibaglar. I then continued to Malatya to witness the open-air museum of Arslantepe Mound. The final site, Nemrut Mountain Park, is located in Adiyaman, concluding the journey with a return flight from Adiyaman airport to Heathrow.
Here's what unfolded:
Harput Citadel and Castle
Perched atop a hill, Harput serves as an open-air museum showcasing the ancient city's history east of Elazig. Strategically positioned along the Silk Road trade routes, Harput, meaning stone castle, reveals remnants of various civilizations. The oldest structure, an 8th-century BC castle built by the Urartians, witnessed subsequent dominations by the Romans, Byzantines, Turcomans, and Ottomans. The castle, known as Sut (milk) Castle, earned its nickname from a fascinating legend involving the use of milk mixed with egg whites for construction.
Exploring this site unveiled insights into ancient life, including ceramics, iron goods, and a remarkable limestone stone relief dating back over 4,000 years. The relief depicts the siege of a fortress, showcasing siege towers, soldiers scaling walls, and symbolic figures.
A visit to the 11th-century Harput Ulu mosque, featuring a medieval Italian minaret with a tilt of 6.8 degrees, added a unique touch to the journey.
Arslantepe Mound Archaeological Site – Open-Air Museums
Situated 7km from Malatay in the Orduzu district, Arslantepe Mound is an artificial 30-meter-high mound boasting a rich history spanning 4,000 years. The mound, named after lions (Arslan means lion and Tepe means hill), offers layers of archaeological treasures. Beneath Byzantine-Roman remnants lie traces of a medieval cemetery, Roman villages, Hittite palaces, and settlements dating from the Late Chalcolithic Age to the Islamic ages. The site provides glimpses of town walls, temples, mud-brick walls, potteries, beads, and seals.
Arslantepe is credited as the birthplace of the world's most ancient state system based on centralized power, influencing societal hierarchies. The archaeological marvel showcases the evolution of ordinary houses expanding outward, surrounded by imposing public and private buildings.
Nemrut Dagi
For an unforgettable heritage experience, Nemrut Dagi, situated atop a pyramid, stands out. A 40-minute ascent via a well-constructed staircase leads to the monumental tomb of Commagene King Antiochos I, part of the Commagene kingdom established in the 1st Century BC. Greco-Persian statues scattered around witness the sunset, preserving a legacy spanning over 2000 years.
This journey through Türkiye's ancient treasures, from Harput Citadel to Mount Nemrut, unveils the rich tapestry of history, culture, and architectural marvels that have withstood the test of time.