Gerga, Archaeological site in Deliklitaş, Çine district, Turkey.
Gerga is an archaeological site featuring the remains of homes, public buildings, and fortification walls integrated into the mountainous landscape of the Caria region. The structures reveal how residents adapted their construction methods to the steep terrain and limited flat spaces.
The settlement was founded during the Archaic period and grew to occupy a key position along trade routes crossing the mountains of Caria. Its location made it a vital hub connecting different ancient communities and facilitating the exchange of goods and ideas.
The temple complex features a triangular pediment and houses a statue believed to represent Kybele, indicating religious practices of ancient inhabitants.
The site is located near Ovacık village and can be reached from Çine district by following the mountain road. Visitors should wear sturdy footwear as the ruins are scattered across steep slopes and uneven ground.
The name Gerga may have referred not only to the ancient settlement but also to a local deity worshipped by mountain inhabitants. Scholars believe that religious identity and geographic location were deeply connected in this community.
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