Eskipazar Protohistoric Period Survey (EPYA)
The Eskipazar Protohistoric Period Survey 2024 (EPYA-2024), developed on a scientific basis using evidence from the Protohistoric period uncovered during excavations at the ancient city of Hadrianopolis, located in Eskipazar District, Karabük Province, began its initial fieldwork on 2 September 2024 in the village of Deresoblan, situated along the southern boundary of Eskipazar District. The first season of the survey concluded on 21 September 2024, the final day of fieldwork, in the village of İnceboğaz.
The geological formations that have shaped life in Eskipazar District throughout history can be grouped under several headings. Southern Eskipazar contains extensive, flat alluvial plains irrigated by the Gerede Stream. The likelihood of identifying höyük-type settlements (mounds) is higher in the southern parts of Eskipazar District, whereas the likelihood of finding such settlements in central and northern Eskipazar is lower. Given the geological formations, these areas are shaped by limestone-based rocks, making it more likely to encounter prehistoric sites such as caves, rock shelters, and rock-shelter settlements.
Forests constitute another major feature of Eskipazar’s geology. Since cultural heritage remains are unlikely to be encountered in these areas, and considering risks such as encounters with predatory animals, entering forested terrain is not planned in order to ensure the safety of our team.
In light of these observations, the types of settlements we hope to identify in Eskipazar during the Protohistoric period surveys can be summarized as mounds and caves. In addition, chipped-stone industry artefacts, particularly large hand axes characteristic of prehistoric periods, are among the archaeological finds we expect to encounter.
