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THR. 10/05/2000
Hasankeyf
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We traveled to the small town of Hasankeyf on the Tigris River. There are plans for a dam below the town, which would submerge several archaeological sites, the most important one being Hasankeyf. The caves surrounding the city date back more than 4,000 years, and a few of them are still occupied today.
The soft limestone makes it easy to carve cool caverns for habitation into the mountainside.
DP Tufan Turanli and Digital Rancher Tod Mesirow are captivated by the soft curves and reflected light of the ancient caves.
In the town of Hasankeyf archaeologists have been working on an ancient site dating back to the 14th or 15th century. The minaret is broken off at the top. Because of funding difficulties, digs have been taking place for only 10 or 15 days a year since 1986.
On top of a hill overlooking the Tigris River. There is a new bridge in the background, built in the early 1960's, and in the foreground, the remains of a bridge from medieval times.
A house on top of the hill, modified from an ancient cave, complete with a television antennae and windows. They still use donkeys to bring water to the top of the hill from the river down below.
There is a spectacular castle dating to medieval times, portions of which are perilously close to falling over. The town takes its name from a colorful story concerning Hasan, who was to be put to death by the local ruler, and resident of the castle. He asked for one last chance to ride his horse before dying. This final wish was granted, and Hasan mounted his horse and rode back and forth along the castle wall, high above the Tigris. Then he blindfolded the horse, and leapt off the cliff, sailing over the river, and landing on the other side and escaping. Keyf, meaning pleasure, was added to his name, and the town became Hasankeyf, "Hasan's pleasure.
Team member Berta waits to see what new adventure awaits the crew as they continue their journey east, to the fabled Agri Dagh, or Mount Ararat.