New excavation unearths Roman and Byzantine past at Türkiye's Rabat Castle
Archaeological work at Rabat Castle in southeastern Türkiye is revealing a 2,000-year-old history, with discoveries from Hellenistic to Byzantine eras promising to reshape the region's cultural heritage and tourism potential.
A new archaeological excavation at the remote Rabat Castle in southeastern Türkiye is uncovering a rich historical tapestry spanning nearly two millennia. Located in Mardin province, the 5.5-hectare fortress site has begun to yield artifacts and structures from the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, and later Artuqid periods, offering a rare glimpse into the region's layered past.
A challenging site with significant preservation
Led by the Mardin Museum under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the excavation team faces a unique challenge: a 90-minute hike to reach the inaccessible mountaintop site at 955 meters elevation. Mardin Museum Director İdris Akgül describes Rabat Castle as "one of the best-preserved archaeological sites after the ancient city of Dara." The team is carefully documenting well-preserved features, including defensive walls, rock-cut churches, cisterns, and residential dwellings first noted by travelers in the 19th century.
Strategic fortress on ancient trade routes
Historical evidence suggests the castle was constructed in the Late Roman Era as a strategic garrison to protect trade caravans and defend against incursions from the Persian Sasanian Empire. Its commanding position overlooking the Mesopotamian Plain allowed it to guard the vital route between modern Diyarbakır and Şanlıurfa. "The castle served both defensive and commercial purposes," Akgül noted, highlighting its dual role in regional security and economy.
Finds and future aspirations for cultural tourism
Initial finds include ceramic fragments, coins, and arrowheads that help date the castle's continuous use across centuries. The excavation, part of the ministry's "Heritage for the Future" project, aims to restore the site and integrate it into a new cultural tourism route for the region. Local team member Rohan Ateş expressed pride in the work, hoping the castle becomes "a shining star of the region" and is opened for public visitation as the dig progresses.
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