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©The Archaeological Settlements of Turkey - TAY Project
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Seytan Kalesi |
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Type:
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Fortress |
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Altitude:
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m |
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Region:
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Eastern Anatolia |
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Province:
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Ardahan |
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District:
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Çildir |
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Village:
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Yildirimtepe |
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Investigation Method:
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Survey |
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Period:
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| It is situated at the center of the Kura Valley, north of the Ardahan-Çildir motorway and Besiktepe Fortress, east of Karaçay in the Çildir District of Ardahan. Once resting on a peninsula in relation with the Karaçay Stream flowing to the west, now it became an island as it was separated from the mainland through a ditch in order to enhance the defense of the fortress. Intense traces of illicit diggings and destruction resulting from painting are very clear on the fortress. Having a very suitable location for defense purposes, it is a strategically important border point at the joint of the Kura Valley with the Çildir Plain. It appears that it was in use for a long period of time because of this strategical location. Sherds dating to the EBA and Iron Age were found. The majority of ceramics indicating the Middle Age, and present nature of the fortress suggest that the fortress was built over the previous remains during the Middle Age. The defense walls are of coarse stones with mortar. The fortress was possibly named after the large blocks of stones and sheltering of the people of the Alviz or Albiz (which means demon or satan in Turkish) Village near the Çanaksuyu Village of Çildir. |
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