Unveiling history: Oylum Hoyuk excavations reveal secrets of Türkiye’s Kilis

Excavations at Oylum Hoyuk, one of the largest mounds in the Southeastern Anatolian region, continue at full pace. Located near the Syrian border, the excavation project is a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Kilis Governorship, Gaziantep University, and the GAP Regional Development Administration.

Led by Professor Atilla Engin, Head of the Department of Archaeology at Gaziantep University, a team of 35 is working tirelessly to uncover the site’s historical and cultural treasures.

Decades of archaeological work

Professor Engin shared that the excavations have been ongoing for over 35 years, making Oylum Hoyuk the longest-running excavation project in the region.

He emphasized the significance of these efforts, stating, “This excavation, carried out with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Gaziantep University, is a presidentially approved project. The 12-month initiative aims to uncover the cultural assets of Oylum Hoyuk and its surroundings to contribute to tourism in Kilis.”

Engin highlighted the project’s goal to enhance tourism in Kilis through the discovered artifacts, saying, “As part of the Oylum Hoyuk Excavation Project, we plan to transform the mound and the Oylum Hoyuk Basilica, located 200 meters southwest, into an open-air museum. Our aim is to turn these cultural assets into tourism attractions, thereby establishing the region as a destination point and boosting Kilis’ tourism.”

During a visit to the excavation site, Kilis Deputy Governor Murat Demirbilek, GAP Regional Development Administration President Hasan Maral, and Kilis Culture and Tourism Provincial Director Huseyin Erkmen were present. Prof. Atilla Engin provided updates on the ongoing work and expressed gratitude to those contributing to the project.

The excavations at Oylum Hoyuk are set to play a crucial role in preserving and promoting the region’s cultural heritage while enhancing Kilis’ tourism potential.

Brief history of Oylum Hoyuk

Oylum Hoyuk is located to the east of Kilis, at a strategic position where the Euphrates Valley meets the Amik Plain and connects Northern Syria with the Anatolian Plateau. This unique location has made the site an important stop along both military and trade routes throughout history.

The mound covers a vast area, rising to 22 meters in the north and 37 meters in the south. Remnants of village houses can be found particularly on the western and eastern sides. Oylum Hoyuk has been continuously inhabited since the Late Chalcolithic period and has an estimated history of about 5,500 years. Valuable archaeological finds uncovered through excavations since 1987 are displayed at the Kilis Museum.

You can access the location of Oylum Hoyuk via this link.