Yarımburgaz Cave

Yarımburgaz Cave is a natural cave located approximately 2.5 km north of Küçükçekmece Lake, in the northern part of Altınşehir Neighborhood, Başakşehir District, Istanbul. The cave exhibits continuous evidence of use from prehistoric times through the Byzantine period and is one of Turkey’s most significant cultural heritage sites, both archaeologically and geologically. It is regarded as one of the earliest human settlements in Europe.

Yarımburgaz Cave has been formed by karstic processes within limestone (calcite) deposits dating to the Middle Eocene period. It consists of two main sections:

• Upper Cave (B Gallery): Approximately 52 meters in length, with ceiling heights reaching up to 15 meters.
• Lower Cave (A Gallery): Approximately 700 meters in length, featuring narrow corridors opening into larger chambers; this is the deeper section and the primary focus of research activities.

The cave lies within the Altınşehir Formation and is situated in a geologically rich environment. The Sazlıdere River (known in antiquity as Bathynias) flowing nearby, along with surrounding freshwater and saline springs, contributed to the cave’s long-term selection as a habitation site.

• 1869–70: Introduced to the scientific community by geologist Miralay Abdullah Bey.
• 1959–1965: First archaeological excavations were conducted under the leadership of Şevket Aziz Kansu and İsmail Kılıç Kökten.
• 1986–1990: Modern excavations were carried out in a collaboration between Istanbul University and the University of California, Berkeley, with participation from experts including Prof. Dr. Güven Arsebük, Prof. Dr. Mihriban Özbaşaran, and Prof. Dr. F. Clark Howell; the cave’s Paleolithic history was scientifically documented.
• 2007–Present: International interdisciplinary research is being conducted under the Istanbul Prehistoric Research (İTA) Project.

Excavations have revealed a layered cultural deposit spanning from the Lower Paleolithic to the Byzantine period. The stratigraphic layers can be chronologically ordered as follows:

Numerous animal remains have been recovered from the cave, particularly in the Lower and Middle Pleistocene layers:

• Bones of Ursus deningeri (cave bear) are especially abundant.
• Additional identified species include hyena, wild boar, deer, wolf, felids, birds, and fish.
• The cave was used alternately by humans and animals as shelter.

• Neolithic Period: The cave was likely used for ritual activities.
• Byzantine Period: The cave was converted into a monastery complex; walls were covered with marble, niches and apses were carved, and a second story was added. Architectural remains from this period are still visible inside the cave.

Yarımburgaz Cave is a key site for documenting climatic changes and the geological evolution of the Marmara Basin over the last four glacial-interglacial cycles. Distinct climatic phases—including cold-dry and warm-wet periods—are recorded in the cave’s sedimentary deposits. In this regard, Yarımburgaz Cave is regarded as one of Türkiye’s most important geoarchaeological laboratories.

• In 2001, it was declared a first-degree archaeological and natural protected area.
• In recent years, the cave has suffered damage. Fake prehistoric paintings, illegal excavations, wall carvings, and fire marks have been observed.
• These acts of vandalism have been documented under the Istanbul Prehistoric Project and reported to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.