18.10.2025 17:51
In the archaeological excavation conducted at Delikli Cave in the Adilcevaz district of Bitlis, obsidian tools and pottery fragments dating back 8,000 years, skeletons from the Urartian period, as well as decorative items such as beads, needles, and earrings, along with remnants of structures from the Middle Ages were found.
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Excavation works are being carried out in the Delikli Cave, located about 60 meters above the level of Lake Van in the Adilcevaz district of Bitlis, with the permission and support of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, under the leadership of the Ahlat Museum Directorate.
TRACES OF 8 THOUSAND YEARS OF LIFE HAVE BEEN REACHED In the excavations conducted for 2 years under the scientific consultancy of Dr. Sinan Kılıç from the Department of Archaeology at Van Yüzüncü Yıl University (YYÜ), traces of life dating back 8 thousand years have been found.
"USED AS A CAMP SITE" In the fourth layer of the cave, which is believed to have been used as a camp site in prehistoric times, obsidian tools and pottery fragments dating back 8,000 years were found, while in the third layer, a multi-burial site indicating the Urartian period, skeletons, ornaments, iron knives, and ceramic vessels were discovered, along with a medieval structure with a lime mortar plastered floor above it.
"THOSE WHO LIVED HERE WERE BENEFITING FROM THE BOUNTIES OF THE LAKE" Kılıç, who provides scientific consultancy for the excavation, stated that they have been conducting excavation work for 2 years in the area known as Delikli Cave in the Adilcevaz district of Bitlis. He explained that they continued the drilling work they started last year at the eastern exit of the cave to observe the stratification. Kılıç said: "In last year's excavation, a floor plastered with lime mortar, which we dated to the Late Middle Ages, and scattered skeletons underneath were revealed. Among them were finds from the Urartian period. We had identified a multi-burial site from the Urartian period. When we expanded the work this year, we saw a structure built in front of the cave. These skeletons were scattered and destroyed either during or before the construction of this house. We need to document the bones in the Urartian graves. In the 2-meter deep drilling we conducted right next to it, we detected a layer of sand at the bottom. This means that Lake Van has deposited sand here. Once, the exits of the cave were close to the lake shore. Perhaps those who lived or camped here in prehistoric times were benefiting from the bounties of the lake."
"WE HAVE IDENTIFIED 5 LAYERS FROM VARIOUS PERIODS IN THE EXCAVATION SO FAR" Kılıç stated that they aim to research the prehistoric periods of the region through the excavations and noted that the prehistoric period of the Lake Van region, that is, this geography, has been intensively researched in recent years. Kılıç said, "So far, the obsidian, flint tools, and handmade ceramics that we have not seen in the prehistoric excavations around Lake Van will have an impact on the prehistoric archaeology of the Lake Van region, the Eastern Anatolia Region, and gradually all of Southwest Asia. The findings here are of a nature that will fill the gap in prehistoric periods. This year, especially in the destroyed Urartian grave, we recovered beads, a seashell bead referred to as a snake head, metal finds, iron knives, and ceramic vessels." he said.
"THERE WAS TREASURE HUNTING ACTIVITY HERE CENTURIES AGO" Kılıç expressed that they are trying to determine how the communities lived here before the Urartians and what they used the cave for, providing the following information: "We are finding ceramic fragments, very high-quality and skillfully crafted obsidian tools here. We think that the obsidians mostly came from Meydan Mountain in Erciş. There are also colorless, glass-like transparent obsidian tools from the region that we do not know. So far, we have identified 5 layers from various periods in the excavation. I am talking about the prehistoric period for obsidian finds; I believe we can go back to 7 to 8 thousand years ago. In the second layer, we found a Late Middle Ages structure, and in the third layer, we saw a scattered Urartian multi-burial site. They have scattered the skeletons. There was treasure hunting activity here centuries ago."
Kılıç, who stated that they plan to continue the excavation next year, shared that laboratory, documentation, and publication work will be carried out on the artifacts they will deliver to the Ahlat Museum Directorate.
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