Traces of ancient civilization to be searched in Adıyaman

ADIYAMAN - Anadolu Agency

Following the expropriation works, excavation activities will begin in the region. A new project will open the ancient site to tourism.

Excavation activities at the archaeological site in the ancient city of Perre (Pirin), which was one of the centers of the Kommagene civilization, will soon commence with the aim of opening up the site for tourism. Excavations will begin soon in the ancient city, located in the southeastern province of Adıyaman, five kilometers away from the city center. It is home to some 200 stone tombs as well as a still-functional fountain.

The ancient city, located between the capital of the Kommagene Kingdom, Samosata (today Samsat), and Melitene (today Malatya), is mentioned in Roman resources for its beautiful water.

The city served as a resting place for travelers, caravans and armies. The archaeological site directly beside the ancient city is waiting to be discovered.



The Adıyaman Governor’s Office has initiated a project to open the nearly 15,000-hectare site to tourism. Following the expropriation works, excavation activities will begin in the region.

Governor Mahmut Demirtaş said the ancient city of Perre held significance for the country’s tourism. He said the Provincial Special Administration carried out excavations in the region 13 years ago, and the outcome was the discovery of 363 historical and cultural artifacts as well as the stone tombs. Demirtaş said the excavation work had to be suspended because of natural hazards.

Project designed

However, he said they have now designed a project to bring the Kommagene civilization to light.
“Environmental arrangement work will end within a month and then excavations will start. This place has much to offer Turkey. It has an area of 15,000 hectares and the real history lies here. Therefore, we will search for traces of the Kommagene civilization during the excavation work. Currently, our priority is expropriation because there are 134 houses close to the archaeological site. Then infrastructure and excavation work will begin,” he said.

The governor said an area of 60,000 hectares was taken under control within the scope of the environmental arrangements.

He also noted the management of the ancient city of Perre was handed over to the Turkish Travel Agencies Union (TÜRSAB) by the Culture and Tourism Ministry and entrances and exits would be more organized in this way.

“TÜRSAB is working professionally,” he said, adding, “The city of Adıyaman will be revived if this place is included as a tourism destination.”