Tekkeköy Caves

Tekkeköy Caves are located within the boundaries of the Tekkeköy district of Samsun province in Türkiye. They are approximately 14 kilometers from the district center. The caves are situated along rock formations stretching through a valley watered by the Fındıcak Stream and Çınarlı Stream.

Historical Process and Archaeological Excavations

The Tekkeköy Caves are among the earliest known examples of human settlement in the Black Sea region. Archaeological research has dated the earliest settlements in the area to between 60,000 and 10,000 BCE. This time span demonstrates that the caves were inhabited from the Paleolithic period onward.

Scientific excavations began in 1940. Significant archaeological findings were made by a team led by Professor Dr. Tahsin Özgüç of the Faculty of Language, History and Geography at Ankara University in 1941. These discoveries confirm continuous human occupation in the region from the Paleolithic period through the Early Bronze Age.

Archaeological Findings

Excavations have uncovered numerous prehistoric caves, shelters, and habitation sites. Among the recovered artifacts are hand axes, scrapers, cutting tools, and spearheads made of stone, bone, and wood.

In layers dating to the Early Bronze Age, tombs, handmade ceramics, vessels with geometric patterns painted in white on a black background, pottery decorated with toothed, grooved, and linear motifs, as well as relief human-faced vases (anthropomorphic vessels) have been discovered. Additionally, wheel-made ceramics, examples of camel-hair textiles, and red-colored pottery have also been found.

Tekkeköy Caves (Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Türkiye)

Fortress Ruins

At the point where the Çınarcık and Fındıcak streams converge, on a hill dominating the valley, remains of a fortress believed to have been constructed for defensive purposes have been identified. Analysis of the existing ruins suggests that this structure may have been a frontier fortress from the Phrygian period.

Museum and Exhibition Areas

The Tekkeköy Caves Archaeological Valley was opened to the public in 2013. A portion of the area is accessible to visitors. In 2014, a registered historic residence within the valley was restored to create the “Tekkeköy Caves Archaeological Valley Museum House.” The museum house displays replicas of artifacts uncovered during excavations and thematic sculptures.

Additionally, the region features an open-air exhibition area with sculptural compositions depicting prehistoric life, as well as an “imitation museum.” This museum presents simulated replicas of historical tools and artifacts.

Tekkeköy Caves (Samsun Metropolitan Municipality)

Protection and Usage Status

The Tekkeköy Caves and their surroundings are protected as a cultural heritage site. The area has been developed as an open-air museum and is used for archaeological, educational, and tourist purposes. It also serves as a picnic and recreation area. Some of the artifacts recovered from the Tekkeköy Caves are part of the inventory of the Samsun Archaeology and Ethnography Museum.