Nusaybin in ancient time (From the oldest time to A.D. 363)

Our work area Nusaybin, is a district that is attached to the city Mardin which is located in Southeastern Anatolia. Nusaybin district is full with cultural richness and the most essential element of life; water. Nusaybin district witnessed countless habitation due to Cag Cag River. Cag Cag River that passes through the city and having the important trading crossroads makes the city a liveable and important place. Because of its geopolitical importance, Nusaybin district was battle field through out the history. Many tribe, state and empire fought over these lands.Therefore, Nusaybin embodied many civilazations. In prehistorical and historical periods the region was the center of trading, military,social and cultural interactions. Also, Nusaybin act as a bridge between Anatolia and Mesopotamia civilizations because of its location. Our research topic covers the history of the city of Nusaybin from prehistorical period to AD 363. In this research findings from archeological excavations and surface explorations were used as well as the written sources. Girnavaz mound is the earliest settlement that is known in this region,until now, and it is linked to the Uruk age and with all that city witnessed rulerships of Sumerian, Akkadian, Assyrian, Hurrian-Mitannian, Neo Assyrian, Aramic, Median-Persian, Macedonian Empire, Seleucid, Parthian, Roman and Sassanian civilizations in historical order. This research has been done to understand the prehistorical period of Nusaybin. Our aim is to contribute the researches that had been done and will be done in the future. Key words: Nusaybin, Assyrian Royal Road, Girnavaz, Roman, Sassanian, Cag Cag River