"Prehistoric Period Archaeological Research" Started at the Archeology Department of Fırat University in Değirmenönü Village

Fırat University Archeology Department Head Lecturer. With the permission of the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage and Museums, a team of 12 people headed by Abdülkadir ÖZDEMİR started a "Prehistoric Period Archaeological Survey" in the tumulus (kurgan) located within the borders of the village of Değirmenönü on the Mastar Mountain.

As a result of the research, it was determined that the newly found finds on the top of the hill to the east of the Değirmenönü tumulus were related to the Roman period remains. As an institution, Elazig Governor Erkaya YIRIK and Fırat University Rector Prof. Dr. With the financial and moral support of Fahrettin GÖKTAŞ, significant progress has been achieved in the ongoing works. In 2020, the cultural assets of the Ministry Representative Ergün DEMİR and the team members in Değirmenönü Village located within the borders of Elazig were also examined and new discoveries were proposed for registration.

Providing information on the subject, Firat University Archeology Department Head Dr. Faculty Member Abdulkadir ÖZDEMİR; “The newly discovered castle ruins in the north of the village in question and the history of the tumulus on the hill to the south of the village have also come to light. As can be understood from the findings in the study area, it was determined that the castle and tumulus separated by Değirmenönü Stream were built in the same period. As a result of the investigations, it was seen that the castle was built with horosan mortar and that the walls and bastions preserved their foundation levels. The tumulus, located on the hill overlooking the Euphrates River and Uluova, in the south of the castle, is estimated to belong to the castle or a noble person from the royal family. Considering that this noble person would protect and consecrate the castle after his death, the tomb, which was built on a dominant point, is covered with a conical pile of rubble and stone with a diameter of 15-20 m and a diameter of 50 m. It is claimed that the masonry stones of the castle walls, which are associated with the Roman period and history, and the rubble and masonry stones covering the tumulus must be dated to the Roman Period because they are exactly the same. It is observed that the tumulus, which was examined within the scope of the "Survey Project", was seriously damaged by treasure hunters during illegal excavations and therefore its original form was damaged. It is thought that the tumulus should be discovered through scientific excavations and contribute to the archeology, culture and tourism of the region. "He made statements on the form.

Fırat University Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Department of Geography Prof. with its location, pyramid-like view and view of Keban Dam Lake. He stated that the Castle and Tumulus are important for the tourism of the region, but unfortunately the castle has come to the point of extinction. Dr. "The castle, which is surrounded by steep cliffs and at an altitude of 1350 m, has a very important geographic location. This area has been used extensively in the past. There are traces of the Neolithic age in this region. The period until today."