Tekkeköy Caves are located within the borders of the Tekkeköy district in Samsun province, Türkiye. It is approximately 14 kilometers away from the district center. The caves are situated in rock masses extending along a valley watered by Fındıcak Stream and Çınarlı Stream.
Historical Process and Archaeological Excavations
Tekkeköy Caves are one of the oldest known examples of human settlement in the Black Sea Region. Archaeological research has revealed that the first settlements in the region date back to between 60,000 BC and 10,000 BC. This date range indicates that the caves have been used since the Paleolithic Age.
The first scientific excavation works began in 1940. As a result of the studies carried out in 1941 by a team led by Prof. Dr. Tahsin Özgüç, a faculty member of the Department of Language, History, and Geography at Ankara University, significant archaeological findings were obtained. These findings prove that the region experienced settlement over a long period extending from the Paleolithic Age to the Early Bronze Age.
Archaeological Findings
Numerous prehistoric caves, shelters, and settlement sites have been identified during the excavations. Among the findings obtained are hand axes, scrapers, cutting tools, and spearheads made of stone, bone, and wood.
In the layers belonging to the Early Bronze Age, burials, handmade ceramics, geometric patterned vessels made with white paint on a black background, toothed, grooved, and line-decorated pottery, and relief human-faced vases (anthropomorphic vessels) have been unearthed. Additionally, wheel-made ceramics and ceramic samples in camel-hair and red colors were also found.
Tekkeköy Caves (TC.Kültür ve Turizm Bakanlığı)
Castle Remains
At the confluence of Çınarcık and Fındıcak streams, on a hill overlooking the valley, a castle ruin, thought to have been built for defensive purposes, has been found. As a result of examining the existing remains, it has been suggested that this structure might be a frontier castle belonging to the Phrygian period.
Museum and Exhibition Areas
Tekkeköy Caves Archaeology Valley was opened to visitors in 2013. A part of this area is open for visiting. In 2014, "Tekkeköy Caves Archaeology Valley Museum House" was established by restoring a registered residence in the valley. Replicas of findings unearthed during excavation works and thematic sculptures are exhibited in the Museum House.
Additionally, the region also features an open-air exhibition area with sculpture compositions depicting the prehistoric period, and an "imitation museum." This museum presents simulation examples of historical tools and artifacts.
Tekkeköy Caves (Samsun Metropolitan Municipality)
Protection and Usage Status
Tekkeköy Caves and their surroundings are protected as a cultural heritage site. The region is also organized as an open-air museum and is used for archaeological, educational, and touristic purposes. The area also serves as a picnic and recreational ground for rest and recreation. Some of the artifacts obtained from Tekkeköy Caves are included in the inventory of the Samsun Archaeology and Ethnography Museum.
