Zerzevan Castle — Mithraeum on Frontier Limes
Zerzevan Kalesi · Samachi Castle
Roman (4th c. CE Severan) to Byzantine·Roman Eastern limes·🇹🇷 Diyarbakır Province, Çınar plain, Roman limes, Turkey
About
About Zerzevan Castle — Mithraeum on Frontier Limes
Diyarbakır frontier fort excavated by Coşkun 2014–, easternmost confirmed Mithraeum, Sassanid siege evidence 359 CE.
Why it mattersKey Roman Eastern limes fortress with stratified sequence and regional typology.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing
- 02Function of enclosure
Theories
- 01Seasonal gathering
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 330 CE castle; Mithraeum 4th c.
- Period
- Roman (4th c. CE Severan) to Byzantine
- Culture
- Roman Eastern limes
- Purpose
- Roman legion castle (60 decare) and underground Mithras temple with blood pits and eastern Syrian Mithraeum
- Rediscovered
- Modern excavation 1942
- Excavation
- Excavated
c. 330 CE castle; Mithraeum 4th c.
Initial construction / first occupation at Zerzevan Castle — Mithraeum on Frontier Limes
1950 excavation
Modern rediscovery and scientific excavation of Zerzevan Castle — Mithraeum on Frontier Limes
c. 1500 BCE major extension
Major expansion / refurbishment at Zerzevan Castle — Mithraeum on Frontier Limes
On the ground
Structures & features
37.6050° N · 40.5010° E · 762 m · 3 mapped features
Zerzevan Castle — Mithraeum on Frontier Limes — Principal Structure
structurestructure at Zerzevan Castle — Mithraeum on Frontier Limes — subsidiary complex
37.6058° N · 40.5023° EZerzevan Castle — Mithraeum on Frontier Limes — Northern Complex
complexcomplex at Zerzevan Castle — Mithraeum on Frontier Limes — outlier feature
37.6041° N · 40.5024° EZerzevan Castle — Mithraeum on Frontier Limes — Rock_Art Annex 3
rock artrock art at Zerzevan Castle — Mithraeum on Frontier Limes — primary structure
37.6033° N · 40.5002° E