Besni the light of the historical and archaelogical data

The district of Besni, which constitutes the study area, is connected to Adıyaman province located in the Middle Euphrates section of the Southeastern Anatolia Region. The Besni region, which was within the borders of the Commagene region in ancient times, has rich water resources and fertile plains. For this reason, it has been revealed that the Besni region has been inhabited from Prehistoric times to the present day. There are many natural caves on the steep rocky slopes rising along the streams formed by the water sources in and around Besni. In this region, which is suitable for the shelter of the people of the Paleolithic Age, the first researches belonging to the Paleolithic period were carried out between 1937-1938. Detection of tools from the Paleolithic Age in the Besni region is important in terms of ancient history. The fact that Besni is located at a crossroads where trade and military roads intersect in ancient times has made this region strategically important. The remains of the ancient road networks in the region had been constructed since the Assyrian Colonial Age and used until Ottoman Emripe period. Besni region has been under the influence of many cultures as it is a bridge between east and west. As a result of the excavations and surface studies carried out in the region, many mounds in the Keysun and Fal Plains in the south of the district, many necropolis areas and rock tombs belonging to the Late Hellenistic and Roman cultures were found on the steep, rocky slopes of the district and in the areas close to the settlement areas. Tumulus reflecting Late Hellenistic and Roman culture have been identified in the town's Üçgöz village, Şambayat town and in places such as Zormagara. In addition, written sources that shed light on the Iron Age and Late Hellenistic periods of the region were found.