In September last year, 26 ArchSoc members visited the cradle of human development where ancient trade routes criss-cross each other and cultures followed in rapid succession, leaving behind an unbelievable archaeological legacy. This is Anatolia and the upper Mesopotamian Fertile Crescent between the Tigris and the Euphrates in south-eastern Turkey. Highlights of the tour were the 8 000-year-old proto-city settlement of Catalhöyük and the wondrous sacred complex of Göbekli Tepe that predates the start of agriculture. But there was also the archaeological museum of Zeugma and the Roman city remains themselves, the Edesa Mosaic Museum, the colossi of the gods of antiquity on Mount Nemrut, the Neolithic settlement of Çayönü, the Roman Silk Road stronghold of Hasakeyf, the 3 000-year-old Urartian citadels near Van, and the 800-year-old site of the Armenian city of Ani near Kars.
 

Cappadocia, the remains of the Kommagene kingdom, colourful Sanliurfa (former Edessa), the medieval city of Diyarbakir, ancient churches and monasteries, the beautiful Ishak Pasha Palace and ancient rock engravings all added to a kaleidoscope of experiences. The Syrian and Iraq borders were often not far away, nor Turkey’s troubles with its Kurdish population, which added spice to the tour. Reinoud’s illustrated talk will look at the many aspects of the group’s experiences.

Reinoud is a professional editor, bookshop owner and organises the Northern Branch’s longer tours both locally and internationally. He has served as chairman of the Northern Branch several times and was vice-president of the SA Archaeological Society from 2012 to 2014.

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