The Yumuktepe Tumulus Situated within the boundaries of Mersin, Turkey, the Yumuktepe Tumulus was originally located on the outskirts of the city in 1936. However, as a result of urban expansion and population increase over the years, the tumulus is now part of the area governed by the Toroslar municipality of Mersin. Excavations at the site were conducted between 1936 and 1938 by British archaeologist John Garstang (1876-1956), who discovered remains of a neolithic settlement that persisted through the medieval period. Unfortunately, the digging was interrupted during World War II, and some records kept at Liverpool University were destroyed during an air raid. Following the war, Garstang, together with Veli Sevin from Istanbul University and Isabella Caneva from Sapienza University of Rome, resumed the archaeological work. The site exhibits 23 distinct layers of habitation, dating back to at least 6300 BC. In his book, Prehistoric Mersin, John Garstang documented a variety of tools discovered during the excavations, ranging from stone implements to ceramic artifacts. Traces of agriculture and animal husbandry were also found, with evidence of sheep, cattle, goats, and pigs being raised as part of the local economy. The Yumuktepe site in Mersin, Turkey contains one of the earliest known examples of fortifications in human history, dating from approximately 4500 to 3500 BC. Excavations led by Isabella Caneva uncovered the use of an early Copper Blast furnace during the Chalcolithic period. Originally a coastal settlement, the mound now lies about 2.5 kilometers (1.6 miles) inland due to sediment deposits from the nearby Efrenk River, which have accumulated up to a depth of 2 meters (7 feet). Yumuktepe was once part of the Kizuwatna vassal kingdom within the Hittite Empire, referenced in documents from 1440 BC under the name Pitura, although recent studies suggest the original name was Elipru. The settlement endured attacks by the Sea Peoples from Europe during the 13th century BC and later by the Assyrian Empire from Upper Mesopotamia. During the Roman Empire, the city of Zephyrium was founded south of Yumuktepe and was later renamed Hadrianapolis by Emperor Hadrian (reigned 117-138). However, Yumuktepe’s importance diminished in the early Byzantine period due to the growth of the nearby settlement of Soli, located approximately 10 kilometers (6 miles) to the west. If you have any questions or inquiries regarding Yumuktepe Tumulus, please feel free to contact us at [email protected] or simply message us via Whatsapp, and we will reply as soon as possible.