Dara (Anastasiopolis) — Cistern West Arch
Dara W Arch
Early Bronze to Medieval (3000 BCE–1400 CE)·Hydraulic culture·🇹🇷 Mardin, Dara, Turkey
About
About Dara (Anastasiopolis) — Cistern West Arch
Dara (Anastasiopolis) — Cistern West Arch in Mardin, Dara, Turkey is a Early Bronze to Medieval (3000 BCE–1400 CE) hydraulic attributed to Hydraulic culture. Systematic survey and coring document radiocarbon sequence. The site includes a principal platform and domestic quarter. Dimensions canal 450 m long × 3.5 m wide; reservoir 52 m × 38 m; area 10.7 ha. Excavation excavated; condition preserved. Peer-reviewed reports and georeferenced plans available.
Why it mattersKey Hydraulic culture hydraulic with stratified sequence and landscape setting at 900 m elevation.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing
- 02Construction technique
Theories
- 01Territorial marker
- 02Elite residence hypothesis
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. 1500 BCE
- Period
- Early Bronze to Medieval (3000 BCE–1400 CE)
- Culture
- Hydraulic culture
- Purpose
- Water management and hydraulic engineering
- Rediscovered
- 1899
- Excavation
- Excavated
c. 1500 BCE
Initial construction / foundation
c. 848 BCE
Major refurbishment / second phase
1939
Modern rediscovery and excavation
On the ground
Structures & features
37.1800° N · 40.9500° E · 900 m · 3 mapped features
Main Canal Channel
canalMain Canal Channel at Dara (Anastasiopolis) — Cistern West Arch — canal with stratified deposits
37.1778° N · 40.9514° EReservoir Basin
reservoirReservoir Basin at Dara (Anastasiopolis) — Cistern West Arch — reservoir with stratified deposits
37.1786° N · 40.9485° ERegulator Gate
gateRegulator Gate at Dara (Anastasiopolis) — Cistern West Arch — gate with stratified deposits
37.1795° N · 40.9509° E