Traces of the Old Stone Age in Tekkeköy: the Black Sea region's known oldest settlement
The caves and rock shelters in Samsun's Tekkeköy district hold the earliest known signs of settlement in the Black Sea region, with human habitation there traced back to the Old Stone Age. The valley was placed under protection in 1977 and opened to visitors in the summer of 2013.
The Tekkeköy Caves Archaeology Valley, located in Samsun's Tekkeköy district, is considered the Black Sea region's known oldest settlement area. Research carried out in the valley's caves and rock shelters shows that human habitation there dates back to the Old Stone Age. Its proximity to the city centre makes the valley an accessible stop for visitors planning a day trip.
Excavations that began in 1941, opened to visitors in 2013
The first scientific excavations at the site were carried out in 1941 by a team led by archaeologist İsmail Kılıç Kökten. The valley was placed under protection in 1977, and after long research and landscaping work, it opened to visitors in the summer of 2013. The roughly seventy years in between laid the groundwork for the valley to develop as both a scientific and a touristic site.
Finds ranging from arrowheads to a Phrygian fortress
Excavations uncovered stone-worked arrowheads and spearheads, axes, cutting and scraping tools, as well as Bronze Age pottery, jewellery and needles. Inside the valley, the remains of a Phrygian fortress and traces of a Hittite road, believed to have been used by high-ranking officials, were also found. The artefacts are now on display at the Samsun Archaeology and Ethnography Museum, so visitors to the valley can follow up on the finds at another location.
Prehistoric life brought to life at the Museum House
Walking routes laid out to preserve the natural texture of the caves and rock shelters let visitors follow the archaeological layers step by step.
The Museum House, opened inside the valley in 2014, introduces visitors to prehistoric life through models and replicas that recreate life from the period. The site also has picnic areas, paid restaurants and children's play areas; entry to the valley itself is free.
The valley's layers, spanning thousands of years, trace an uninterrupted settlement history from the Old Stone Age through the Bronze Age to the Phrygian and Hittite periods. This continuity is considered the key feature that sets Tekkeköy apart among similar archaeological sites along the Black Sea coast.
With its proximity to the city centre and thousands of years of finds, Tekkeköy Caves Archaeology Valley remains a stop that combines archaeology and nature for visitors to Samsun. Free admission makes the valley an accessible option for families and history enthusiasts alike.