History and archaeology / Archaeological site
Zağ Rock Shelter Rooms
Merkez, Bingöl
A historic rock settlement made up of rooms carved in tiers into a steep rock mass overlooking the Murat River, connected by steps and shafts.
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Its story
The settlement, carved into the front face of a steep cliff between the villages of Gökçeli and Yenidal on the banks of the Murat River, about 23 km from Bingöl, is reached by a village road that branches off at the 18th kilometer of the Bingöl–Solhan–Muş highway; today it overlooks the Yukarı Kaleköy Dam lake. The rooms, reached by rock-cut steps and a narrow path, are arranged on several levels; the levels are connected by round shafts and the rooms by door openings. In the rooms you can see rock-cut benches, niches, jar pits carved for storing grain and liquids, and hearths; about 17 rooms are said to preserve their original structure. The dating is not certain: some sources suggest an Urartian origin, while academic assessments link the settlement to the Early Christian period (5th–7th centuries AD).
Key facts
- Period
- Uncertain (Early Christian period suggested)
- Admission
- Open area
- Getting there
- Gökçeli–Kuşburnu village road from the 18th km of the Bingöl–Solhan–Muş road
- Visit duration
- 1–1.5 hours
Trip purpose
- Photography
- Hiking
Location
38.86429, 40.80778
Where to eat nearby
No food & drink venues listed nearby.
Map data: © OpenStreetMap contributors; Overture Maps
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Source: Web derlemesi (doğrulanmalı): https://goturkiye.com/bingol/see | https://kureansiklopedi.com/tr/detay/zag-magaralari-92a89 | https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q139432766