The age of the find is estimated at more than 8 thousand years
One of the oldest water channels in history, dating back 8200 years, was discovered in Western Turkey during excavations conducted in Yesilova Hoyuk (Eshilov's mound).
Yesilova Hoyuk is a burial mound in the Bornova district of Izmir, Turkey, and is the oldest known prehistoric human settlement in the Izmir region, Arkeonews reports.
The excavated mound has already revealed significant traces of the Neolithic era, as well as a wealth of information about the earliest settlers in the Izmir region near the Aegean coast, their surroundings and culture. For example, unlike Katalhoyuk in central Anatolia, where houses are located next to each other, ancient people lived in separate houses with separate roof systems.
Results of a joint project of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Turkey, Ege University and local authorities are important because they suggest that the historical settlements in the Izmir region date back to 8500 years, i.e. 6500 BC.
The 8,200-year-old water channel, which was recently discovered during the exploration of the Eshilov Kurgan, is an important archaeological achievement. It was found that the first city dwellers manually changed the course of the river so that it flowed right in their immediate vicinity.
Associate Professor Zafer Derin from Ege University, who discovered the mound and has led the excavation since 2005, explains: “Here at Yesilova Mound, the site of Izmir's first rural settlement, we are currently focusing on deciphering the nuances of their urban planning. As a result of the excavations, a canal 6.5 meters wide was discovered, passing through the center of the settlement. This architectural marvel, with stone-lined edges and raised earth embankment, has been preserved for eight millennia — over the course of four generations. Over time, the canal eventually silted up, but its legacy has endured, as evidenced by Roman-era attempts to bring water through the same area using pipelines. The greatness of the canal is emphasized by its vast width, and the settlement developed harmoniously along both banks. By carefully preparing for a possible flood, the settlement demonstrated unprecedented foresight. Our measurements showed the canal to be 220 meters long, although we were only able to find a fragment due to the dense accumulation of gravel inside.”
Derin stresses the importance of the settlers' skill in urban planning. “The pioneers of this city used the availability of water ingeniously, masterfully shaping their habitat. Their urban design may just be a pioneering example in Anatolia's history, demonstrating their exceptional adaptability,” he added.