Mesopotamia is "the land between rivers", from Greek: Μεσοποταμία. I have remembered this term since middle school, but since then I didn't keep any knowledge of this dizzying and mysterious land. That's, for me it was like Atlantis - something ancient that has already disappeared, remaining unknown to me...
It's time to rediscover it!
It is there, in this uncharted Mesopotamia, that the zero point of civilization is located today. It is the world's oldest known human settlement. Therefore, Mesopotamia is often called the cradle of civilizations. The first states in this region emerged more than 5,000 years ago. And I'm going there!
My excitement is simply unimaginable! Because of the coronavirus and other difficulties, I have been waiting for this trip for so long that it has become something like a dream or a fantasy. But no, it come true.
Mesopotamia covers the lands between the Euphrates and Tigris rivers, which flow from the Armenian Highlands in modern Turkey. The climate here is special. There are deserts, swamps and harsh mountains.
We leave Gaziantep and head straight east to the Euphrates River. Our paths crossed for the first time in the area of the grand Birecik Dam, which almost submerged Zeugma Ancient City, the mosaics of which we saw earlier the same day at the Zeugma museum.
Of course, this is not the only city that has almost disappeared under water. Along the east coast we drive to another partially submerged city.
Halfeti
The old town of Halfeti is now a local tourist attraction, especially for ferry trips. We took one as well.
This one is so romantic looking but too small for our group.
You can enjoy the views, mountains, fortress of Rumkale and countryside. Although green valley of the past is now underwater.
As part of the Southeastern Anatolia Project, aka GAP, several dams were constructed in the area and surrounding regions as part of a larger agricultural and economic initiative by the Turkish Government. The town of Halfeti was among those settlements, ancient and contemporary, that would remain under the rising water levels of the local dams and rivers following the execution of the GAP.
We're approaching the town of Eski Savaşan Köyü (Old Savaşan Köyü), also partially submerged under the rising waters of the Birecik Dam.
The boat comes closer, and next to the minaret under water the roof of the flooded mosque can be clearly seen. The old town is just below us. Such a strange feeling...
Time to move on to the east towards the Syrian border. We must see another ancient place before dark.
Harran
The ancient city of Harran also known as Carrhae lies twenty kilometers from the Syrian border. Its name can be translated as "a place scorched by the sun".
The first settlement appeared here in 6200 BC. It's mentioned in the Old Testament. Once it was a large Assyrian city where the prophet and "father of believers" Abraham (Ibrahim), equally revered by Christians, Muslims and Jews, lived.
And I just can't believe I'm here. Someone, pinch me!
The main tourist attraction here is clay hive houses. When we arrived, it was too dark and late for good photographs. But local open air museum was opened and free for visiting.
Nearby, there are also the 8th-century ruins of the first Islamic university. It looked mysterious in the darkness.
It was a major city in Upper Mesopotamia. Also, the city was one of the most important cult centers of the time. Here was the temple of the moon god Sin. Sin was one of the great gods of the Assyrian - Babylonian pantheon.
According to Old Testament texts, Abraham's father died in Haran. Here Abraham lived for several years until he received a call from God, according to which, at the age of 75, he left the city to go to the land of Canaan. They say that in Harran there is still a house in which, according to legend, Abraham and his wife Sarah lived.
Today Harran is a provincial town.
That's all folks. For now. Thank you for your time, and stay tuned!