Turkey, once an integral part of ancient Mesopotamia, has long been a rich and fertile land for archaeologists.

Within its borders lie remarkable sites that predate even the Mesopotamian era, including UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Gobekli Tepe, a Neolithic settlement believed to be over 10,000 years old, featuring possibly the world’s oldest place of worship, and Catalhoyuk, a proto-city dating back approximately 9,000 years.

Presently, more recent archaeological discoveries in the southeastern region of Turkey are reshaping our understanding of the area’s ancient history, pushing the boundaries of pre-Roman activity further east than previously thought, NPR reported.

One such site is Zerzevan Castle, once a Roman Empire military garrison, which is providing valuable insights into the daily lives of Roman soldiers and civilians, as well as details about historic battles, according to UNESCO.

Another significant find is the Mithras Temple, linked to the Mithras religion, also known as the “Mithras cult,” believed to have its origins in ancient Persia.

Discovered in 2017, this temple is arguably the world’s best-preserved structure of its kind, as recognized by UNESCO.

Yet to be excavated are vast, multi-story structures that archaeologists have identified through ground-penetrating radar scans.

These structures remain hidden beneath the earth’s surface, revealing layer upon layer of artifacts, some of which date back to periods well before the Roman era.

Written by staff