A 3,000-year-old rock settlement has been identified on the shores of the Atatürk Dam Lake.

In Adiyaman, rock settlements dating back 3,000 years have been identified along the shores of the Atatürk Dam Lake.

About 4-5 years ago, rock paintings emerged near the village of Belören along the Kahta coastline of the Atatürk Dam when the lake waters receded. Following the discovery of these rock paintings, authorities detailed their land survey efforts.

In the area between the Kahta district and the Samsat district coasts, Adiyaman Museum Director Mehmet Alkan and his team conducted a field survey. Examining caves and historical ruins along the coastline by boat, Mehmet Alkan identified a rock settlement approximately 3 kilometers away from the area where the rock paintings were found.

The rock settlements, dated to the 1st century BC, revealed hollows and channels made by humans, as well as pottery shards. It has been reported that the teams will continue their survey work in the region.

In a statement regarding the subject, Adiyaman Museum Director Mehmet Alkan said, “In our examinations along the shores of the Atatürk Dam, we have determined that there are rock settlements here. About 4-5 years ago, we had identified rock paintings in this area. We thought that these rock paintings were near a rock settlement. However, due to the rising waters, we could not confirm this until now. As a result of the detailed examinations we conducted today, we see rock settlements dated to the first millennium BC here. In these rock settlements, we observe hollows and channels made by human hands. We also see pottery remnants in places. We have made significant findings regarding the lives of people during that period here.”