November 14, 2024 The sun rises from Anatolia

The monastery-like Alicin Geosite continues to remain a mystery

Alicin Geosite in Kızılcahamam district of Ankara, the capital of Turkey, continues to preserve its mystery.

Alicin Geosite is a geosite area consisting of volcanic tuffs and shaped by erosion over time. The rock formations in the region attract attention with their interesting and aesthetic appearance. Steep rocky slopes, caves, rock carvings and natural terraces are among the important geological elements of the geosite.

Photo: IHA

Alicin Geosite, which is similar to the Sumela Monastery in Trabzon with its appearance, does not contain any religious or social traces and signs.

From the research and excavation findings of Prof. Dr. Muzaffer Şenyürek, it is determined that the Hittites lived in Kızılcahamam and the Kirmir valley, that is, at the base of the Alicin stream.

It is thought that the rock carvings and caves in the region belong to the Byzantine and Roman periods.

It is also said that the caves in the geosite area were built by Cin Ali, who is estimated to have lived in the 2nd half of the 19th century and known as a bandit.

Photo: IHA

This monastery-like geosite, built on a steep slope in the canyon, is thought to have an older history than the Sumela Monastery.

The monastery was built by blocking a gap in the agglomerates and is about 15 meters above the ground.

According to experts, this monastery was a place where people used to worship. What strengthens this view is that monasteries are built in valleys and stream beds.

Another view is that it was a line of defense during the Roman period. This is because, as in other monasteries, there are no painted religious figures or compartmentalized rooms inside. The presence of historical castles and fortifications in the vicinity also supports this view.

With the archaeological excavations that will soon begin in the region, new information about Alicin geosite will be available.

Cover Photo: IHA

Banner
Related Articles

The discovery of a 12,000-year-old tomb in the Direkli Cave in Maraş

October 23, 2023

October 23, 2023

In the Direkli Cave in Kahramanmaraş, it is estimated that the third tomb reached in excavations that have been ongoing...

The Hittites’ famous gold-hilted iron dagger was forged from iron with extraterrestrial origins

April 17, 2024

April 17, 2024

The Hittites, the biggest player on the Anatolian civilization stage, were also a pioneering society in the processing and use...

A secret ritual area was discovered in the temple of Mithras in Zerzevan Castle

July 8, 2024

July 8, 2024

A secret ritual was discovered in the Temple of Mithras in Zerzevan Castle, which was used as a “military settlement”...

The existence of a basilica dating back to the 5th century was detected in Alanya Castle

September 17, 2023

September 17, 2023

The presence of a basilica associated with the 5th century was identified in Alanya Castle, built during the Hellenistic period,...

A skeleton of an Urartian man with partially preserved brain tissue was found in Ayanis Castle

August 23, 2023

August 23, 2023

During the excavations of the Urartian period Ayanis Castle located on the shores of Lake Van in the Eastern Anatolia...

2300-year-old inscription on the Carian Khersonesos discovered

July 23, 2024

July 23, 2024

A 2300-year-old inscription was found on the Bozburun Peninsula, known as “Carian Khersonesos” or “Rhodes Peraias” in ancient times. This...

Workers found the ‘Three Graces’ dating back to the Roman period while digging a grave

September 19, 2023

September 19, 2023

In a cemetery in the Emirdağ district of Afyonkarahisar, workers found a broken figure of the Roman-era “Three Graces” along...

Two skeletons of Lydian soldiers found under the monumental city wall in the ancient city of Sardis

August 13, 2024

August 13, 2024

Two soldier skeletons belonging to the Lydians were unearthed in the ancient city of Sardes, which was the capital of...

Traces of Thracians are unearthed in the ancient city of Heraion-Teikhos, the city of Hera

September 29, 2024

September 29, 2024

Hera’s City Heraion-Teikhos Ancient City, located within the borders of Tekirdağ province, has hosted different civilizations, especially Thracians. Traces of...

Archaeologists found an 8500-year-old trepanned skull at Çatalhöyük

December 23, 2023

December 23, 2023

A skull found in the 9,000-year-old Neolithic settlement of Çatalhöyük in Konya showed traces of trepanation (skull drilling). Çatalhöyük is...

A 1,700-year-old trident was found in the ancient city of Assos

October 10, 2023

October 10, 2023

In the ancient Aegean coastal resort town of Assos in northwestern Türkiye, a trident believed to date back to the...

A rare 9-million-year-old porcupine fossil was found in Anatolia

September 16, 2023

September 16, 2023

Scientists discovered animal fossils dating back 9 million years in a rural area in Tavas district of Denizli, including a...

The excavations at Asarkale are expected to shed light on the history of the region from the Hellenistic period to the present

October 24, 2024

October 24, 2024

The archaeological excavations that have begun at Asarkale, located in Samsun province in Türkiye’s Eastern Black Sea region, are expected...

Fire in Çanakkale also affected Assos Ruins and Athena Temple

June 27, 2024

June 27, 2024

Extreme heat and people’s carelessness have caused fires in many parts of Türkiye. The fire that broke out in a...

Excavation season begins in the ancient ghost city of Ani Ruins

June 12, 2024

June 12, 2024

A new season of excavations has begun in the ancient ghost town of Ani Ruins, located on the banks of...

Comments
Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *