Underwater treasures of Diyarbakır's Eğil district revealed by divers

Diyarbakır's Eğil district, a crossroads of civilizations for millennia, continues to reveal its hidden historical layers beneath the waters of the Dicle Dam. Teams from the Provincial Gendarmerie Command's Underwater Search and Rescue (SAK) recently documented several ancient structures during a routine training dive in the reservoir. The footage showcases remarkably well-preserved remnants of Eğil's rich past, submerged when the dam began filling in the late 1990s.

Eğil's rich historical tapestry

Located approximately 52 kilometers from Diyarbakır city center, Eğil has served as a cradle for numerous civilizations from antiquity to the present day. Prof. Dr. İrfan Yıldız, Dean of Dicle University's Faculty of Art and Design, explains that settlement in the area dates back to the Hurri-Mitanni period, followed by Assyrian, Urartian, Median, Persian, Roman, and Byzantine rule, before coming under Islamic sovereignty after 639 CE. The district's significance as a center of faith, nature, and culture has long attracted attention.

Structures submerged by the dam

Construction of the Dicle Dam began in 1986 and was completed in 1997, when water retention began. While the reservoir now serves as a vital drinking and utility water source for the province, its waters also submerged numerous historical assets. The tombs of Prophets Zulkifl and Elyesa were relocated to Nebi Harun Hill in 1995 to save them from flooding. However, other structures, including rock tombs, a mosque, a madrasah, and a bathhouse, remained below the surface. Prof. Yıldız notes that the Tekke and Hacıyan neighborhoods were particularly affected, with the mosque adjacent to Prophet Elyesa's tomb, the Ottoman-era Caferiye or Lala Kasım Madrasah built by Eğil beys, cemetery areas, and rock tombs all inundated. The Deran Bathhouse, dating from the Byzantine period and located between the prophets' tombs and the castle, was also submerged.

Future potential for underwater archaeology

The recent dive by SAK teams captured images revealing Prophet Elyesa's tomb, the adjacent mosque, the Caferiye Madrasah, and the Tekke neighborhood cemetery beneath the water. Prof. Yıldız observes that during dry years when water levels recede, the silhouettes of these structures become clearer within the reservoir. "In the images captured by the teams, we see that these historical artifacts have preserved their integrity and remain standing firmly after long periods underwater," he stated. "The Dicle Dam reservoir contains artifacts approximately 2,400 years old. Underwater archaeology is a developing and important field of study in Türkiye. Underwater archaeological research could be conducted on these artifacts submerged beneath the dam reservoir." Such studies would not only illuminate the region's ancient past but also contribute to Türkiye's cultural heritage tourism potential.