Kurdish peace bid allows for rediscovery of prehistorical paintings in Hakkari

Rock paintings in Hakkari from 10,000 years ago have been examined for the first time since 1960, when they were first discovered. The paintings shed light on prehistorical human activity in the area Academics have succeeded in returning to rock paintings dating back 10 millennia for the first time in 54 years after an end to hostilities in the eastern province of Hakkari made it possible to visit the alpine meadow where the art is located.

“This place was discovered in 1960 but archaeologists have not come here since then,” said Istanbul University Van Region History and Archaeology Center Director Erkan Konyar.

“After 50 years, an archaeology team visited the area this year for the first time. We are examining the rock paintings. They are very important in terms of the prehistory of the region. They are the earliest examples of rock paintings. They depict mountain goats, wild deer, snakes and humans. The paintings were shaped according to the conditions and needs of the era,” Konyar said.

“Rock paintings indicate that there were settlements here. They are very simple rock paintings made by migrant groups. Chronological examination show that these paintings were artistic creations of people who lived here 10,000 years ago,” the academic said.

The paintings, which are located in the Norduz area’s Trişin meadow, were inaccessible for 54 years due to fighting between the Turkish military and the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). A slow-moving peace process has resulted in an end to active fighting in the area, facilitating the archaeologists’ return to the region.

Konyar, who is working in the region with his own archaeological team in collaboration with the Van Museum...