Transportation networks of Erzincan in Ancient Age

Erzincan is located in the northwest of the Eastern Anatolia Region. The largest river in the region is the Karasu (Euphrates) River. This river has also played an important role in the formation of the historical structure, settlements, military and commercial road networks of Erzincan from the earliest times. Reflecting the general climate and morphological structure of the Eastern Anatolia Region, Erzincan has been a region where human communities have preferred to settle since the Chalcolithic Age, and from time to time witnessed struggles between states. From the end of the Chalcolithic Age, it was understood that there was a culture of life in which the socio-economic structure was shaped by the animal husbandry. Since the earliest times, Erzincan has been home to political structures such as Karaz, Diauehi / Dayaeni, Azzi-Hayaša State, Urartu State and Rome. It is not a coincidence that many cultures and political structures have been traced in Erzincan since the oldest ages. One of the most important reasons for this is the strategic location of Erzincan in addition to its natural underground and surface resources. Located in the northwestern end point of Eastern Anatolia, Erzincan is located at the key point between Mesopotamia, Central Asia, Caucasus and Central Anatolia steppes. Thus, the historical road from Northern Syria and Southeastern Anatolia to Trabzon, the important port of the Black Sea in the North and reaching Central Anatolia via Iran, Doğubeyazit, Ağrı Erzurum Erzincan starting from Central Asia makes the region extremely important. Numerous fortresses, mounds and settlement remains in the region occupying such an important location have been discovered during the last twenty years. In this study, it is related to the determination of the historical main roads known to exist and the functions of the roads existing in the Erzincan region identified in the surveys, their ties and their reflections to the present day. The historical natural roads used for both commercial and military purposes are discussed in this thesis. All these features reveal that the transportation network of Erzincan in the Ancient Age is worth exploring. In this thesis prepared for all these reasons, it is aimed to shed light on the ancient history of Erzincan and transportation networks.