The multistory, below-ground structures in Diyarbakir — ID'ed by using ground-penetrating radar — may have sheltered some 10,000 people during wartime many centuries ago, archaeologists believe.
Archaeologist Aytac Coskun, seen at ruins of an ancient church, says excavations in the area may continue for another three decades.Archaeologist Aytac Coskun, seen at ruins of an ancient church, says excavations in the area may continue for another three decades.says the first time he saw the place, he knew he had to excavate.
"I first came to Diyarbakir in 2005," says Coskun,"and when I saw this hill, I saw some pieces of artifacts, and I knew no excavation had been done before. So as soon as I saw it, I knew it had to be a dig because there must be something significant underneath."A tour of the site reveals some what he and his team have excavated in recent years — a sprawling rock altar, an underground church, a water canal stretching for at least several miles.
A member of the Zerzevan Castle excavation and restoration team looks into a microscope while studying a coin found at the archaeological site.A member of the Zerzevan Castle excavation and restoration team looks into a microscope while studying a coin found at the archaeological site.A bronze baptismal bucket found at the Zerzevan Castle site, currently on display at the Archaeology Museum of Diyarbakir.
"The digging we're doing inside the castle walls is 57,000 square meters [68,171 square yards]," he says."It's a huge area. And outside of it...is like 10 million square meters [3.86 square miles]." Coskun believes some 1,500 people, both military and civilian, lived here during times of peace. In wartime, he says, it's likely that some 10,000 people from the surrounding area came here to seek shelter.Alice Martins for NPR
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