Three new archaeological sites in the Upper Euphrates region: Köteriç/Kotaric, Indere, and Obrukbaşı

Abstract

The archaeological researches of the 2018 ‘Iron Age and Hellenistic Period Tunceli survey’ were concentrated within the limits of the Mazgirt district, to the southeast of Tunceli. One of the focal points of the research is the İndere Valley, located between Güneyharman (Köteriç), Karabulut (Sorek), and Obrukbaşı (Lemk) villages, 39 km southeast of the Mazgirt district centre of Tunceli province. The 3.5 km long and 0.8 km wide valley extends in a southeast-northwest direction and displays a deep and sheltered geographical landscape. While the slope and hill settlements are seen on the outer borders of the İndere Valley, the prehistoric period rock shelters, rock-cut tombs, a large Iron Age settlement and a medieval church were identified inside the valley. Güneyharman (Köteriç) and Obrukbaşı settlements are also associated with the valley. The aim of this study is to localise the medieval place name ‘Citharizon’ in Köteriç. It is known as Kotarič in other medieval sources. After a few archaeological surveys, it became clear that the history of İndere Valley and its environs goes back to the prehistoric periods, and continues from the Early Bronze Age till the late Middle Ages.