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©The Archaeological Settlements of Turkey - TAY Project
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Vasgirt |
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For site maps and drawings please click on the picture...  |
For photographs please click on the photo...  |
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Type:
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Rock-cut Tomb |
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Altitude:
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m |
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Region:
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Eastern Anatolia |
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Province:
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Tunceli |
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District:
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Pertek |
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Village:
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Çaliözü |
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Investigation Method:
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Survey |
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Period:
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Middle Iron Age |
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| It is situated at the Çaliözü (Vasgirt) Village of the Pinarlar Subdistrict in the Perçek District of Tunceli. It is delimited by the Harsik Stream to the north, and by steep rocks and the Keban Dam Lake to the south. The surveys for Urartian sites at Tunceli that started with the observations of the geologist Wünsch between 1982-83 yielded many Urartian material on the rocky areas to the south of the village settlement as well as a total of five Urartian rock graves, two at Çirnabek Mevkisi, and three more at Hançerli Mevkisi. Vasgirt rock grave I: It is situated in the area to the south of the village known as "Çirnabek" on the eastern section of an independent platform, approximately 5 m high above the ground level. It was carved forming a slight declination from north to south. The grave chamber is 2,10 m deep, 1,83 m wide and 1,25 m high in a rectangular plan with rounded edges, and the entrance gate measures 180x103x030 m in dimensions. Vasgirt rock grave II: It lies on the same massive rock with the rock grave Vasgirt I on the same façade approximately 2 m to the south at the same height. However, it could not be entered. Vasgirt rock grave III: It is situated to the southwest of the village settlement where the extensions of the rocks meet the village road at so called "Hançerli". The independent rock mass is locally known as the "Hançerli Fortress". To the west is a grave chamber approximately 8 m high above the ground level, which can be accessed through a two-stage door of 15 and 30 cm deep, 62 and 88 cm wide, and 75 cm high. The grave chamber which follows the entrance is 2,40 m wide and 1,50 m high. The entrance is followed by a floor, which is 22 cm below, after a 30 cm deep and 12 cm lower platform. Another platform is observed to the south and east of this floor, rising around 45 cm higher than the floor. The ceiling at the center is 1,50 m above the floor. Unlike the grave Vasgirt I, it ends with an oval shape at the entrance and on wall façades. Vasgirt rock grave IV: It is situated right behind the grave chamber Vasgirt III, approximately 6-7 m high above ground level at the southern façade of the rocky mass at Hançerli Mevkii on the other side of a cove at north. Unlike all other rock graves, the entrance's façade was smoothed outside, and enclosed by a frame. The grave chamber can be accessed through a gate of 80 cm wide, and 40 cm deep. Starting from the entrance, the grave chamber measures 1,70 m long and 2,20 m wide, and 1,10 m high. The platform which is at 1 m depth from the entrance of the oval chamber, and 25 cm high above the floor and 70 cm wide, surrounds all directions except the east entrance façade. The platform surrounding all three sides and the bowl nest near the wall on the eastern end of the south platform distinguish this rock grave than the other rock graves at Vasgirt. Vasgirt rock grave V: It lies on the eastern façade of the rockys mass at "Hançerli" Mevkii, 7-8 m high above the ground level. The grave chamber could not be accessed. Discovery of five rock grave chambers at Vasgirt in addition to the rock graves of Mazgirt I, II, Kaleköy and Bagin I, II in the Tunceli region is important in displaying the Urartian settlement areas in the region. |
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