Ardahan: Archaeologists have begun excavation work in the ruins of a castle in northeastern Trkiye, exploring a history that dates back 3,500 years. The excavation in Gole in the province of Ardahan aims to understand the architectural structure, historical layers, and settlement layout of the castle. Some finds, such as pottery fragments, have already been unearthed.

According to Anadolu Agency, the excavations are being conducted with the permission of the Culture and Tourism Ministry's Cultural Heritage and Museums Directorate, under the leadership of Kars Museum Director Hakim Aslan and with the supervision of archaeologist Aysegul Akin Aras from Ardahan University. The project is supported by the university, Gole District Governorship, and Gole Municipality.

Kars Museum director and the excavation head, Hakim Aslan, told Anadolu that rescue excavations have begun at the historical castle. Situated on a dominant point in the region, he emphasized the site's strategic importance, stating that while surface surveys had been conducted in Ardahan before, this marks the first archaeological excavation. The work is significant as it is being conducted in an area dating to the Late Bronze-Early Iron Age, with ongoing excavations expected to yield more precise dating results. The region's ties with the Urartians, evident from Urartian inscriptions mentioned in sources, are also a focal point of the study.

Speaking to Anadolu, Akin Aras, involved in the excavation, highlighted that the archaeological work at Tigem Castle is a first for Ardahan. The absence of previous excavations of castles from the Late Bronze-Early Iron Age in the region left this period undefined. The settlement's location, defensive architecture, and finds from earlier surface surveys indicate that the castle belongs to this era.

Located at an altitude of around 2,100 meters, the castle overlooks the Gole Plain and surrounding roads. Its position on the route to the Caucasus increased its importance, according to Aras. She noted that life around 3,500 years ago was similar to today, with the castle surrounded by vast pastures suggesting that animal husbandry was a primary occupation for the inhabitants. The geographical conditions indicate that livestock farming was the foundation of life in the region, similar to modern times.