Zerzevan Castle

Zerzevan Castle
Zerzevan Kalesi
Church ruins at North side of Zerzevan Castle (2021)
Zerzevan Castle is located in Turkey
Zerzevan Castle
Zerzevan Castle
Location of the castle in Turkey.
Alternative nameSamachi Castle
LocationDemirölçek, Çınar, Diyarbakır, Turkey
Coordinates37°36′29″N 40°29′57″E / 37.60806°N 40.49917°E / 37.60806; 40.49917
TypeFortification
Area57 daa (5.7 ha)
History
BuilderEastern Roman Empire
Founded4th century
Abandoned7th century
PeriodsEarly Christianity
Site notes
Discovered2014
ConditionRuined
Public accessPartial

Zerzevan Castle (Kurdish: Qesra Zêrzevan, Zîrzevan[1] Turkish: Zerzevan Kalesi Armenian: Զերզեվանի ամրոց), also known as Samachi Castle, is a ruined Eastern Roman castle, a former important military base, in Diyarbakır Province, southeastern Turkey. Archaeological excavations at the site revealed the existence of underground structures, among them a temple of Mithraism, a mystery religion. The castle was used as a civilian settlement between the 1890s and the 1960s. The site is partly open to tourism.

Etymology

Some travellers mention the name of this place as "Kasr Zerzaua" in 18th century while Evliya Celebi, an Ottoman traveller who lived in 17th century mentions in his Seyahatname (volume IV) about this place as "Zerzivan Valley" while travelling from Diyarbakir to Mardin. The name of Zerzevan derives from Kurdish word of "zêr" (gold) and it "is the changed form of Zerzaua mentioned by the travellers and it is the name given to the settlement while the village" was located in the same place.[1] Zêr in Kurdish is Gold and Zîv is Silver (Gold and Silver), castle of gold and silver.

Location

Zerzevan Castle was built in the 4th century by the Eastern Roman Empire as a military base on the ancient trade route between Diyarbakır and Mardin. It was in use until the 7th century. The castle is situated on the top of a 105–124 m (344–407 ft)-high rocky hill next to Demirölçek village about 13 km (8.1 mi) southeast of Çınar town in Diyarbakır Province on the highway D.950 to Mardin. It is located about 45 km (28 mi) from Diyarbakır.[2][3][4]

Archaeological works

The first archaeological excavations took place in the summer months of 2014. The works were initially carried out by a team of 35 led by an archaeologist from Dicle University, under the supervision of the Diyarbakır Archaeological Museum. In 2015, the size of the team working at the site increased to 60.[3][5]

In 2020, archaeologists found the entrance of the castle.[6]

In 2021, archaeologists discovered a flute with six holes and a bronze ring with a key which was used to open a chest. Both items dated back to the 4th and 5th centuries AD.[7]

History

The castle was an Eastern Roman military base and a strategic garrison settlement, dominating the entire valley and controlling the ancient road between Amida (now Diyarbakır) and Dara (now Mardin).[3] The castle played a key role due to its location on the easternmost border protecting the Roman Empire.[5] It marked the intersection and coalescence of the cultures in the west and the east.[4]

The place was known as Samachi in classical antiquity.[3][5] It was the site of heavy fighting between the Byzantine Empire and the Sasanian Empire.[2] Jewelry found in the castle also indicates that the civilian population and military personnel resided together, with soldiers living alongside their family members.[3] It was large enough to sustain a population of around one thousand.[5]

Restoration and reconstruction works, which took place during the reigns of Eastern Roman emperors Anastasius I Dicorus (r. 491–518) and Justinian I (r. 527–565), saw the castle develop into its final state prior to its ruin.[4] The castle was most likely in use until 639 with the arrival of Arab Muslims in the beginning of the Arab–Byzantine wars.[3]

Castle

Aerial view of Zerzevan Castle (2016)

The castle stretches over an area of 5.7 ha (14 acres).[5] The castle contains structures both above and below ground.[4] Its ruined walls are 1,200 m (3,900 ft) long and 12 m (39 ft) high, and it has a 21–22 m (69–72 ft)-high watchtower.[3][4] Inside the castle, there are ruins in a wide area and a rock-necropolis. In the north of the castle, which is at a lower elevation, residences and streets were erected while in the south public buildings were constructed on the higher terrain. A church building facing east-west remains one of the most well-conserved public buildings. Other public buildings include the palace, administrative building, baths, cereal storage, arsenal, and 54 cisterns.[2][3][4] Military and medical material, jewelry, ornaments, and bronze coins were also found during the excavations.[5] In 2016, a subterranean church and secret passageways were discovered.[5] The discovered underground secret passageway was not in use for about 3,000 years and the subterranean church was closed around 1,500 years ago. A Mithraic underground temple and a subterranean sanctuary,[8] able to hold 400 people, were also unearthed.[4] In 2017, four more underground locations were discovered, where further excavation works are necessary to unearth them.[4]

Mithras Temple

Mithraeum of Zerzevan Castle

The Mithraeum is one of the best-preserved structures of the castle. The 35 m2 structure carved into the main rock is 7 m long, 5 m wide, and 2.5 m high. On the eastern wall, there are columns carved into the rock, a large niche in the middle flanked by two smaller ones. The flaming crown, one of the symbols of Mithraism, is carved on the eastern wall. Right in front of the left-hand small niche there is a carved pool on the ground. Some inscriptions and symbols are visible at the entrance gate of the structure.[9]

Use as civilian settlement

A new settlement was created within the castle once again in the 1890s, when a family moved into the castle. As the population grew to over 30 households, the residents ultimately abandoned the castle in the 1960s, descended to a place about 1 km (0.62 mi) from the castle, and founded a village under the name Zerzevan. This village is called Demirölçek today.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b Coşkun, Aytaç (2017). "Zerzevan Castle in the Light of Recent Archeological Researches". Anatolia: 91–110. doi:10.1501/Andl_0000000442.
  2. ^ a b c d Kaya, Selim (December 2014). "Zerzevan Kalesi". Atlas (in Turkish) (261). Retrieved 2018-04-28.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h "Diyarbakır'da Romalı Hristiyanların İlk Kilisesi Bulundu". Arkeoloji Haber (in Turkish). 2015-09-04. Retrieved 2018-04-29.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h "Zerzevan Castle home to secret history". Hürriyet Daily News. 2017-08-25. Retrieved 2018-04-29.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g "Zerzevan Kalesi'nde Mithras Tarikatı'na Ait Yeraltı Tapınağı Bulundu". Arkeoloji Haber (in Turkish). 2016-12-27. Retrieved 2018-04-29.
  6. ^ 1800-year-old Zerzevan Castle entrance found
  7. ^ Ancient flute reveals interest in music
  8. ^ "Zerzevan Kalesi'nde bin 500 yıllık yeraltı sığınağı bulundu". Habertürk (in Turkish). 2016-10-24. Retrieved 2018-04-30.
  9. ^ Zerzevan Castle and Mithraeum Retrieved 2023-09-29.

Read other articles:

العلامة المرئية الخاصة بتنظيم الدولة الإسلامية المُستخدمة في الإصدارات المرئية والمكتوبة الرسمية. يمتلك تنظيم الدولة الإسلامية (داعش) أدوات إعلامية يواجه بها خصومه ويحشد أنصاره.[1] تصدر عن ديوان الإعلام المركزي الديوان المسؤول عن الإعلام في تنظيم الدولة الإسلامية، و�...

 

Peta region Bačka Bačka (Kiril Serbia dan Rusyn: Бачка, Hungaria: Bácska, Latin Serbia dan Kroasia: Bačka, Slowak: Báčka) adalah wilayah di Panonia yang terbentang antara sungai Donau dan Tisa. Wilayah ini terbagi antara Serbia dan Hungaria. Wilayah ini membentuk daerah Vojvodina di Serbia. Novi Sad, ibu kota Vojvodina, berdiri di perbatasan antara Bačka dan Syrmia. Bagian utara Bačka yang lebih kecil kini terletak di Bács-Kiskun di Hungaria. Pranala luar Totoist Atrocities in V...

 

Vue nocturne des bâtiments du Conservatoire national supérieur de musique et de danse de Lyon. L'enseignement de la musique en France est organisé dans des structures d'enseignement publiques et privées, permanentes, périodiques et ponctuelles. Alors que l'enseignement initial est destiné à former des artistes amateurs et un public éclairé, l'enseignement supérieur s'adresse aux futurs professionnels. Il est exercé par des enseignants qualifiés, titulaires ou invités lors de clas...

American politician Thetus W. SimsMember of the U.S. House of Representativesfrom Tennessee's 8th districtIn officeMarch 4, 1897 – March 3, 1921Preceded byJohn E. McCallSucceeded byLon A. Scott Personal detailsBorn(1852-04-25)April 25, 1852Wayne County, Tennessee, U.S.DiedDecember 17, 1939(1939-12-17) (aged 87)Washington, D.C., U.S.Resting placeRock Creek CemeteryWashington, D.C., U.S.Citizenship United StatesPolitical partyDemocratic Party (United States)Spou...

 

Komposisi etnis Italia (sebagaimana didefinisikan oleh perbatasan saat ini) pada tahun 400 SM. Liga Italiotai (Yunani: Ἰταλιῶται, Italiōtai) merupakan penduduk pra-Romawi yang tinggal di semenanjung Italia, antara Napoli dan Sisilia. Mereka berbicara bahasa Yunani. Lihat pula Yunani Besar Milo dari Kroton Catatan Referensi A history of earliest Italy By Massimo Pallottino, 15 April 1991, Page 118 ISBN 0-472-10097-1 The Cambridge ancient history By John Boardman Page 709 ISBN 0-521...

 

Bishop of Oxford, England (1805–1873) The Right ReverendSamuel WilberforceFRSBishop of WinchesterPhotograph by Julia Margaret CameronChurchChurch of EnglandSeeWinchesterIn office1870–1873PredecessorCharles SumnerSuccessorHarold BrowneOrdersOrdination1828Personal detailsBorn7 September 1805Clapham Common, London, EnglandDied19 July 1873 (aged 67)Dorking, Surrey, EnglandPrevious post(s)Bishop of OxfordDean of WestminsterEducationOriel College, Oxford Samuel Wilberforce, FRS (7 September 180...

Ancient Greek river god A tetradrachm of Gelon, tyrant of Syracuse, minted c. 485 BC. The obverse depicts Alpheus, referring to the foundation myth of Syracuse.[1] Part of a series onAncient Greek religion Origins Ancient Greek religion Mycenaean Greece, Mycenaean religion and Mycenaean deities Minoan Civilization, Minoan religion Classical Greece Hellenistic Greece, Hellenistic religion Sacred PlacesSacred Islands Delos Ithaca Naxos Kythira Samothrace Crete Lemnos Sacred Mountains Mo...

 

Neighborhood of Sacramento in California, United StatesTahoe ParkNeighborhood of SacramentoThe 59th & T Street gateway to Tahoe ParkTahoe ParkLocation within SacramentoShow map of Sacramento, CaliforniaTahoe ParkTahoe Park (California)Show map of CaliforniaTahoe ParkTahoe Park (the United States)Show map of the United StatesCoordinates: 38°32′37″N 121°26′07″W / 38.543611°N 121.435278°W / 38.543611; -121.435278CountryUnited StatesStateCaliforniaCountySac...

 

Voce principale: Fussball Club Südtirol. Fussball Club SüdtirolStagione 2013-2014Sport calcio Squadra Südtirol Allenatore Lorenzo D'Anna (fino al 6 ottobre) poi, Claudio Rastelli Presidente Walter Baumgartner Lega Pro Prima Divisione3º nel girone A Coppa ItaliaSecondo turno Coppa Italia Lega ProPrimo turno Maggiori presenzeCampionato: Corazza, Furlan (28)Totale: Bassoli, Corazza, Furlan (34) Miglior marcatoreCampionato: Corazza (11)Totale: Corazza (13)[1] StadioDruso (3.500)...

An example of viscous fingering in a Hele-Shaw cell. The Saffman–Taylor instability, also known as viscous fingering, is the formation of patterns in a morphologically unstable interface between two fluids in a porous medium, described mathematically by Philip Saffman and G. I. Taylor in a paper of 1958.[1][2] This situation is most often encountered during drainage processes through media such as soils.[3] It occurs when a less viscous fluid is injected, displacing ...

 

密西西比州 哥伦布城市綽號:Possum Town哥伦布位于密西西比州的位置坐标:33°30′06″N 88°24′54″W / 33.501666666667°N 88.415°W / 33.501666666667; -88.415国家 美國州密西西比州县朗兹县始建于1821年政府 • 市长罗伯特·史密斯 (民主党)面积 • 总计22.3 平方英里(57.8 平方公里) • 陸地21.4 平方英里(55.5 平方公里) • ...

 

Untuk orang lain yang dipanggil Li Na, lihat Li Na (disambiguasi). Ini adalah nama Tionghoa; marganya adalah Li. Li NaLi Na saat masih anak-anak bersama kedua orang tuanya, Jiang Qing dan Mao ZedongLahir1940 (umur 83–84)AlmamaterPeking UniversitySuami/istriTuan XuWang JinqingAnakXu Xiaonin; Wang XiaoziOrang tuaMao ZedongJiang Qing Li Na (Hanzi sederhana: 李讷; Hanzi tradisional: 李訥; pinyin: Lĭ Nà; lahir tahun 1940), atau Li Ne, adalah putri dan anak satu-satunya dar...

Vattenfall CyclassicsRincian balapanPelaksanaanAkhir Juli / AgustusLokasiHamburg, JermanDisiplinJalan rayaKompetisiUCI World TourTipeSatu hariPengelolaUpsolut Sports AGDirektur balapanErik ZabelSejarahEdisi pertama1996 (1996)Edisi terbaru25 (pada tahun 2022)Juara pertama Rossano Brasi (ITA)Juara terbanyak Elia Viviani (ITA) (3 kemenangan)Juara bertahan Marco Haller (AUT) Vattenfall Cyclassics adalah sebuah balap satu hari tahuna...

 

Logo Cold Stone Creamery Cold Stone Creamery adalah sebuah perusahaan Amerika Serikat yang menjual es krim. Cold Stone Creamery didirikan oleh Susan and Donald Sutherland pada tahun 1988. Cold Stone sekarang ini merupakan merek es krim terpopuler ke-6 di Amerika Serikat dan telah memiliki cabang di Jepang, Taiwan, Korea Selatan, Puerto Rico, Indonesia, Guam, Republik Rakyat Tiongkok, Meksiko dan Qatar. Di Indonesia, Cold Stone Creamery dikelola oleh Mitra Adiperkasa dan saat ini memiliki caba...

 

「離島」、「飛地」、あるいは「自治州」とは異なります。 海外領土・自治領の一覧(かいがいりょうど・じちりょうのいちらん)は、世界に存在する「独立国家以外の地域」の一覧である。 海外領土・自治領を示した世界地図       豪       智       丁       仏     ...

Religion in Senegal Islam by countryWorld percentage of Muslims by country Africa Algeria Angola Benin Botswana Burkina Faso Burundi Cameroon Cape Verde Central African Republic Chad Comoros Democratic Republic of the Congo Republic of the Congo Djibouti Egypt Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Eswatini Ethiopia Gabon Gambia Ghana Guinea Guinea-Bissau Ivory Coast Kenya Lesotho Liberia Libya Madagascar Malawi Mali Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Morocco Western Sahara Mozambique Namibia Niger Nigeria Réu...

 

Process of changing one type of television system to another This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.Find sources: Television standards conversion – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (January 2023) (Learn how and when to remove this message) Television standards conversion is the process of changing a te...

 

ذى الصاني (محلة) تقسيم إداري البلد  اليمن المحافظة محافظة إب المديرية مديرية ذي السفال العزلة عزلة السيف القرية قرية العارضة السكان التعداد السكاني 2004 السكان 37   • الذكور 14   • الإناث 23   • عدد الأسر 7   • عدد المساكن 4 معلومات أخرى التوقيت توقيت اليمن (+3 غرينيتش)...

List of events ← 2005 2004 2003 2006 in Gabon → 2007 2008 2009 Decades: 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s See also: Other events of 2006 Timeline of Gabonese history Events in the year 2006 in Gabon. Incumbents President: Omar Bongo Ondimba Prime Minister: Jean-François Ntoutoume Emane (until 20 January), Jean Eyeghé Ndong (from 20 January) Events 17 December – Parliamentary elections were held in the country.[1][2][3][4] Deaths Main article: Death...

 

懲教管理局Direcção dos Serviços Correccionais 澳門特別行政區政府機構局長程况明副局長李日明部門資訊部門性質行政自治部門成立年份2016年所屬部門保安司總部 澳門路環竹灣馬路聖方濟各街聯絡資訊網站www.dsc.gov.mo 懲教管理局(葡萄牙語:Direcção dos Serviços Correccionais,縮寫:DSC;英語:Correctional Services Bureau),是澳門特別行政區政府保安司轄下的一個部門,主要負�...