Archaeologic field unearthed in Bayburt
BAYBURT
An archaeological field has been unearthed in the eastern province of Bayburt. The field is similar to the ancient city of Satala, which is thought to have served as the military headquarters of the Roman Empire, in the Black Sea province of Gümüşhane.
Bayburt University Department of Humanities and Social Sciences Dean Professor Süleyman Çiğdem said Bayburt had a history of thousands of years with its structures, such as the Bayburt castle, observation tower, mosque, fountain and church.
Çiğdem said a place similar to Gümüşhane’s ancient city of Satala, which served as the military headquarters of the Roman Empire, had been unearthed, adding that the structure in Bayburt had different defense architecture.
He said that the ruins, which are nearly five kilometers away from the Yeniköy village, dated back to thousands of years and covered an area of about five hectares.
The professor said they carried out the surface survey after discovering the field.
“A wall in the northwestern part of the field drew our particular interest. This is a nearly 15-meter long wall. The inner and outer walls are more flat but the center is dry masonry walls. The thickness of the wall is about three meters. Such a wall is a defense structure. Generally, the walls of the castles are more than one meter but this three-meter wall shows this place was a defense field,” he said.
Çiğdem said the work in the field did not reveal the period when the field was used.
“Works have been continuing in the field because its structure is very attractive. You can see the dry masonry walls covering an area of five hectares. The reason for the structure should be uncovered. We will continue working on it. If we can find the archaeological materials in the surface, we can provide more accurate information. At least we know dry masonry walls have been used in this region since the early Iron Age. We have also found traces of the early Iron Age in castles and observation towers in different spots in Bayburt,” the professor said.
He also said the Saruhan Castle, which was used in the early Iron Age, was located close to the field known as Alavu Düzü.
“As soon as you exit the Saruhan Castle, there is a road to the Alavu Düzü and to Otlukbeli. We will try to find answers to some questions about the importance of this field during further excavations,” Çiğdem said.
