3,500-year-old construction found in northwestern city

KIRIKKALE - Doğan News Agency

A 3,500-year-old construction from the Hittite period has been unearthed during the excavations. When works are done, it will be open to tourists. DHA photo

The excavations that have been carried out by a Japanese group in the town of Karakeçili in the northwestern province of Kırıkkale since 2009 are continuing. A 3,500-year-old construction from the Hittite period has been unearthed during the excavations. Kimiyashi Matsumura, an academic of Archeology at Kırşehir University, is heading the excavations and the findings have been delivered to the Ministry of Arts and Culture.

When works are completed, the protected area of Büklükale will be open to tourists as the stone houses from the Hittite civilization have touristic value.

Çeşnigir Bridge

During a recent visit to the area, Kırıkkale Governor Ali Kolat and a committee also visited the Çeşnigir Bridge, constructed by the Köprüköyü Municipality. Kolat said that they would protect the 3500-year-old construction, adding, “Karakeçili is home to a long history. Çeşnigir Bridge belongs to the Seljuk era. We are going to make our city known in terms of tourism by enlightening others about these historical artifacts.”

Matsumura said that the area was one of the biggest cities of the Hittite civilization. “Kızılırmak was a way for merchandising. I believe we are going to have worthy acquisitions as a consequence of these excavations,” he added.