Situated in southeastern Turkey, Adiyaman is located along the central region of the Firat (Euphrates) River. Archaeological findings indicate that humans have lived in this area since 9,000 BC. During the Neolithic period, Adiyaman was home to four significant cultural centers, including Gritille, which thrived for four thousand years before it was abandoned around 8000 BC. The other cultural centers were Hayaz, Ancoz, and Samsat.
Over the course of history, Adiyaman has been home to numerous civilizations, including the Hittites, Mittanis, Urartians, Assyrians, Medians, Persians, Alexander the Great, and Kommagene. During the period of the Byzantine Empire, the region was referred to as "Hisn-i Mansur." It was later governed by the Seljuk Turks, Crusaders, Ilkhanid Mongols, and Mamelukes, before being conquered by the Ottoman Empire during the reign of Selim.
Adiyaman is a rich repository of historical landmarks from the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Islamic, and Turkish periods. These monuments have been carefully preserved and are now exhibited at the Adiyaman Museum, which was founded in 1978 following extensive rescue operations. The museum showcases a variety of artifacts from archaeological digs, along with coins from the Roman Empire and the Seljuk era.