The 2024 excavation season in Hasankeyf, a historic district in Turkey's Batman province, concluded after extensive archaeological work. Beginning in July of the previous year, the excavations wrapped up on December 31.
Led by Associate Professor Dr. Zekai Erdal from Mardin Artuklu University's Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Department of Art History, a team of experts embarked on a mission to uncover the historical artifacts of the region. "We aim to find the missing part of the pot in the next excavation season," said Erdal, according to Sozcu.
Among the artifacts unearthed, a pottery fragment from the Artuqid period emerged as a striking discovery. The fragment was crafted using a method involving glass, porcelain, and tile decoration and coloring techniques. The damaged piece showcases the body of a wild animal at the front, though its head is missing. Behind it, the head of a wild goat has been identified.
After careful examination, colleagues at the Wildlife Department suggested that the animal figure on the pottery is most likely that of the Anatolian leopard. The species was thought to be extinct in Turkey until it was first photographed in 2019. The discovery of the fragment shows that in the 1200s, the Anatolian leopard inhabited the region and was depicted in everyday items and artworks.
In addition to this find, the excavations revealed artifacts from other historical periods. Last year, two tear bottles from the 4th century were found in the cemetery area east of the Great Palace, reported Sozcu.
Hasankeyf itself is recognized as one of the oldest settlements in the world, located in the Batman province of Turkey. Halk TV reported on the findings, noting the variety and historical value of the artifacts discovered.
The article was written with the assistance of a news analysis system.