Arsamosata, Archaeological site near Elazığ, Turkey
Arsamosata is an ancient settlement located on the banks of the Murat River in Turkey, with portions of the original city now submerged beneath the waters of the Keban Dam reservoir. The layout of the settlement originally extended across a wider area, though the artificial flooding has significantly altered the visible remains.
The settlement was founded around 240 BC by Arsames I, king of Sophene and Commagene, who established it as a royal residence. It remained an important administrative center until its destruction in the first century BC.
The name Arsamosata derives from Persian royal traditions and means Joy of Arsames, showing how ancient rulers shaped settlement names across Anatolia. Such naming choices reflected how rulers expressed their authority through geography.
Visiting this location requires coordination with local authorities, as much of the ancient city lies beneath the Keban Dam reservoir. The best time to visit is during the dry season when more of the ruins may become visible.
The citadel hill of Arsamosata now rises as an island from the artificial lake created in 1973, marking where the city center once stood. This unusual submersion has paradoxically helped protect the archaeological layers from looting over the decades.
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