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Archaeological excavations are set to resume at Cingirt Castle, located in the Yaprakli neighborhood of the Fatsa district in Türkiye’s northern province of Ordu. According to a statement released by Ordu Metropolitan Municipality, the renewed effort is part of a broader initiative to uncover and preserve the region’s cultural heritage for future generations.
The excavations will take place under the scientific supervision of Professor Ayse Fatma Erol, head of the Archaeology Department at Ankara Haci Bayram Veli University. This new phase follows earlier rescue excavations carried out at the site in 2012.
The previous archaeological work revealed several striking features carved directly into the rock, including tunnel-like passages, steps, niches, stone-paved areas, a corridor-like structure, and a sarcophagus-style tomb. Surface-level ceramic and roofing tile fragments suggest that the site may date back to the Middle Ages.
Experts believe that Cingirt Castle's structural characteristics offer insights into defensive and settlement systems widely used across the Black Sea hinterland between 301 and 63 B.C.
Based on this context, the site is thought to resemble a phrourion, an ancient Greek term referring to a military outpost or watchtower, and may have been constructed during the reign of Mithradates VI, the king of Pontus.
Among the local accounts, there are claims that Mithradates VI may have died here during the attacks by the famous Roman general Pompey.
Ordu Metropolitan Municipality underlined its commitment to both preserving the site and transforming it into a point of interest for cultural tourism. Authorities stated that the excavations are expected to further clarify the historical identity of the area and contribute to its recognition on both national and international scales.
“The municipality aims to protect and promote this important cultural asset and integrate it into regional tourism,” the statement read, adding that the area could become a new attraction for visitors interested in Türkiye’s ancient heritage.
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