Archaeologists find 1800-year-old entrance to historic Zerzevan castle in eastern Turkey

DIYARBAKIR, TURKEY - AUGUST 12: The 1800-year-old entrance to historic Zerzevan Castle, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List has been unearthed by archaeologists in eastern Turkey. Excavations began six years around at the site which was Roman military settlement. Zerzevan Castle, with its walls, watch and defense towers, church, administration building, residences, grain and weapon stores, underground prayer hall, shelter, rock tombs, water canals and 54 water cisterns, shines a light on Roman history. "This year, we have started excavations on the walls for the first time. Zerzevan Castle has walls of 1200 meters in length, and its height is approximately 12-15 meters. There are also watchtowers and they are 21 meters in total, 19 meters of which are preserved. The Roman empire formed an important line of defense here," said head of the excavation, Assoc. Prof. Aytac Coskun. The history of the Zerzevan Castle goes back to the Assyrian period (882-611 BC). During the Roman Period, in the 3rd century AD during the Severan Period (198-235 AD), the main military settlement was built and was used continuously until 639, when the Islamic armies conquered. The walls and structures of the settlement were repaired during the periods of Anastasios (AD 491-518) and Justinianos (AD 527-565) and some were rebuilt and made available. (Footage by Mehmet Siddik Kaya/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
DIYARBAKIR, TURKEY - AUGUST 12: The 1800-year-old entrance to historic Zerzevan Castle, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List has been unearthed by archaeologists in eastern Turkey. Excavations began six years around at the site which was Roman military settlement. Zerzevan Castle, with its walls, watch and defense towers, church, administration building, residences, grain and weapon stores, underground prayer hall, shelter, rock tombs, water canals and 54 water cisterns, shines a light on Roman history. "This year, we have started excavations on the walls for the first time. Zerzevan Castle has walls of 1200 meters in length, and its height is approximately 12-15 meters. There are also watchtowers and they are 21 meters in total, 19 meters of which are preserved. The Roman empire formed an important line of defense here," said head of the excavation, Assoc. Prof. Aytac Coskun. The history of the Zerzevan Castle goes back to the Assyrian period (882-611 BC). During the Roman Period, in the 3rd century AD during the Severan Period (198-235 AD), the main military settlement was built and was used continuously until 639, when the Islamic armies conquered. The walls and structures of the settlement were repaired during the periods of Anastasios (AD 491-518) and Justinianos (AD 527-565) and some were rebuilt and made available. (Footage by Mehmet Siddik Kaya/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
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Restrictions:
NO SALES IN AZERBAIJAN, TURKEY, MIDDLE EAST AND THE BALKANS.
Editorial #:
1266055931
Collection:
Anadolu
Date created:
August 13, 2020
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Rights-ready
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Clip length:
00:03:14:12
Location:
Turkey
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Source:
Anadolu Agency Video
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archaeologists_find_1800-year-old_entrance_to_historic_zerze.mp4