A 2800-year-old fortress has emerged from underwater in Turkey. Photo

When the water level in the dam of the Turkish Murat River dropped due to drought, part of the 2,800-year-old fortress became visible. A guardhouse located on the slope of Pertec Castle, which is located in the middle of the blue waters of Lake Keban Dam, which has an area of 675 square kilometers, "peeked out" from under the water.

Pertec Castle was built by the Urartians on the banks of the Murat River in the eighth century BC. However, it was flooded and took on the appearance of an island after the construction of the Keban Dam in 1974, T24 reports.

According to historical data, Pertec Castle, which is one of the most important historical and tourist attractions in Turkey, was home to the Urartians, Persians, Hellenes, Romans, Seljuks, and Mengucheks. The 2,800-year-old building was restored during the Ottoman Empire.

The fortress consists of two intertwined walls with the remains of buildings between them. On the southern facade of the castle, red hard brick is laid out between the chipped stones, and inside the remains of the buildings are blue tiles with splashes, Haber7.com notes.

According to the researchers, the guardhouse, which appeared when the water level in the dam dropped due to drought, is built of stone. This guardhouse was used as a checkpoint for soldiers and visitors to the castle, as well as a watchtower for farmland. It was an important place for security because it was located in the lower part of the castle, historians say.

Local resident Hıdır Turan, who transports passengers to the castle on his boat, said he heard from his grandfather that there used to be a brig here in the past, but it later went underwater.

"My grandfather Kelekci Hüseyin is one of the oldest sea fishermen here. For many years there was no access to the castle. However, we fixed it. We take boats and boats and take people to the castle," said Turan.

"This year has been very hot and rainless. For this reason, the water level dropped and the gates of the guardhouse opened. We came and saw it and were very happy," he added.

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