Soğmatar is an important historical site in SE Anatolia, a favourite of the late Chuck Appleton of the CF-Apps7865 channel and only now am I understanding why he believed this site to be so important to history.
It flourished from the 2nd century BC to 3rd century AD but the region has a history going back to at least the Chalcolithic times. Recent excavations have uncovered a 5,000-year-old clay children's toy, with moving wheels but most of the discoveries have come from the tombs that surround the large central mound.
This mound is a hoyuk, an artificial mound, which means there is certainly something underneath. So what's buried beneath the artificial mound of Soğmatar? Is it an ancient temple, a pyramid, a ziggurat or a settlement?
Find from the mound include Chalcolithic and Bronze Age pottery so whatever is hiding underneath likely has a truly ancient origin. But just how old could Soğmatar be and what's lying beneath? In this episode of Ancient Architects, I explore the options.
All images are taken from Google Images or educational purposes only.
Drone footage is supplied by Dakota Wint of the Dakota of Earth channel.