Amida Höyük is a multi-layered archaeological settlement located in the central Sur district of Diyarbakır province in the Southeast Anatolia Region of Türkiye, which has been continuously inhabited since the Mesolithic Age. It is located within the walls of Diyarbakır, northwest of the administrative centre known as İçkale, in a position overlooking the Tigris River. It takes its name from the Roman-era city name ‘Amida.’
Amida Höyük (Diyarbakır Governorate, Republic of Türkiye)
History
The first settlement at Amida Höyük dates back to the Middle Neolithic Period, i.e. 7000 BC. According to Carbon-14 analyses conducted at TÜBİTAK laboratories, the settlement at the mound dates back to 6764 BC. Analysis of fire layers has revealed that the mound was struck by three major fires during this period. These fire traces, dated to between 7000 and 5000 BC, indicate that the mound was a densely populated and important settlement area. Obsidian tools and ceramic fragments dating back to 8000 BC have also been found during excavations.
Amida Höyük has been inhabited throughout history by the Hurrians-Mitanni, Urartians, Assyrians, Medes, Persians, the Kingdom of Great Tigran, Romans, Sassanids, Byzantines, Umayyads, Abbasids, Mervanids, Seljuks, Artuqids, Ayyubids, Akkoyunlu, Safavids, and Ottomans. It has been documented through ongoing excavations and carbon analysis that the settlement has never been interrupted.
Amida Höyük (Diyarbakır Governorate, Republic of Türkiye)
Architectural Features and Archaeological Findings
Excavations at Amida Höyük are concentrated mainly around the Artuklu Palace. The palace's divanhane (council chamber), reception hall and some other sections have been unearthed, revealing mosaic floors, tile fragments, a heating system and cold water channels. Finds from different periods, such as water channels dating back approximately 1,800 years, burial chambers dating back 1,700 years, marble fragments dating back 800 years, and 782 hand grenades from World War I, have also been unearthed.
The structures uncovered during the excavations, such as the ‘royal road’ and ‘Saraykapı,’ indicate that Amida played an important role in urban planning. Additionally, numerous ceramic pieces, chipped stone tools, and coins from the Byzantine and Islamic periods were found at the mound.
Amida Höyük (Anadolu Agency)
Restoration and Conservation Work
Excavation work, initiated in 2018 with the permission of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and led by Prof. Dr. İrfan Yıldız from Dicle University, is still ongoing. Surface surveys conducted in 1962 revealed a mosaic courtyard dating back to the Artuklu period. Current excavations are uncovering the foundations of the mound's eastern walls, and restoration work is planned as part of the ‘royal road’ project.
Amida Mound is located in the same area as the Diyarbakır Museum Complex, the Sahabeler Tomb, and other monumental structures, and projects are being developed to make it accessible to tourism. The mound was opened to visitors during the Culture Route Festival, which began on 14 October 2023.
