Başur Höyük

Başur Höyük is an archaeological mound in the upper Tigris River valley containing remains from the Early Bronze Age. The site holds seventeen tombs where researchers found hundreds of bronze spearheads, textiles, beads, and pottery vessels.

The mound dates to between 3100 and 2900 BCE and shows connections between Mesopotamia and the Maikop-Novosvobodnaya culture. The discoveries point to established trade routes and cultural exchange networks.

The burial site reveals social divisions through elaborate tombs filled with precious objects belonging to an emerging leadership class. The way the dead were buried shows that established rituals and ranking systems already existed in this period.

The site is located about 20 kilometers from Siirt city and requires special permissions to visit. Travelers should contact local authorities in advance since the excavation area remains restricted to research activities.

Researchers uncovered 49 carved stone game pieces that represent the oldest known complete game set in the ancient world. This predates similar discoveries across all of Mesopotamia and Anatolia.

Location: Siirt Province

GPS coordinates: 37.98000,41.77900

Latest update: December 14, 2025 14:23