Tekkekoy Caves Archaeology Valley

Tekkekoy Caves Archaeology Valley

Tekkeköy Caves Archaeology Valley, situated in Tekkeköy, Samsun, is an important archaeological area that uncovers evidence of human habitation dating back to the Stone Age.


The site was initially investigated in 1941 by İsmail Kılıç Kökten and his team, leading to the unearthing of numerous prehistoric caves, shelters, and open settlements. Artifacts from the Old Stone Age include arrowheads, spear tips, axes, and tools for cutting and scraping crafted through the technique of stone flaking.


Tekkekoy Caves Archaeology Valley

In addition to the tools from the Old Stone Age, artifacts like pottery and jewelry dating back to the Bronze Age were also uncovered. While the shapes and techniques resemble those found in Central Anatolia, certain bone tools indicate a more advanced level of craftsmanship.


At the junction of the Çınarcık and Fındıcak Valleys, archaeologists discovered a Phrygian fortress called Delikli Kaya, which might have been utilized for trade between regions. Additionally, remnants of a ceremonial pathway used by elite Hittite officials were identified in the valley.


The valley holds significant artifacts from the Middle Stone Age, Early Bronze Age, and Hittite eras, with many of these findings now displayed at the Samsun Archaeology and Ethnography Museum.


The Old Stone Age strata found within the caves, dating from approximately 60,000 BC to 15,000 BC, represent the earliest known human settlements in the Black Sea Region. The initial cave inhabitants were groups without a developed social structure and were non-producers.

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