Abstract:

Located in the west of Ağrı province, Eleşkirt district is located on important road routes. Pirabat and Toprakkale are the oldest known settlements of the district until now. In addition, the inscriptions found in Pirabat and Toprakkale show the dominance of Urartian in the region in the 1st millennium BC. A survey was conducted in the district in 2019 with the permission of the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage and Museums. In this way, it is aimed to contribute to the history of the region and the district. 11 centers were inspected in the works, most of which were carried out in the west of the district between 17-29 September with the support of the Eleşkirt District Governorship. Among these centers, Sadaklı Mound was registered as 1st degree archaeological site in 2007 and Hazinetepe Castle in 2018. However, 9 centers have been registered for the first time and studies have been initiated for registration. These centers; Güneykaya Castle, Çatalpınar Rock Shelter, Çatalpınar Settlement, Harami Taşlar Castle, Tahir (Kargaşan) Castle, Sarıcan Castle, Gülşah Castle and Settlement Area, Dikentepe Castle and Mendek Settlement. During the researches, besides the architectural data, many ceramic data were obtained. Ceramic data mainly belong to the Early Bronze Age, Early Iron Age, Middle Iron Age (Urartian), Late Iron Age and Middle Ages. Worked stone tools were also found during the surveys. Detailed studies are carried out on them. The intensity of illegal excavations is very worrying.