Conny Waters – AncientPages.com – The five-meter-tall and solitary stone structure atop a hill near Kars, Turkey, has long caught people’s attention. However, not for what is known about it, but rather for all that remains unknown. Overlooking Bulanik village, the summit—referred to by locals as “Ziyaret Tepesi” (“Visiting Hill” or “Pilgrimage Hill”) or “Evliya Tepesi” (“Saint’s Hill” or “Holy Man’s Hill”), respectively —is a fascinating landmark.
This unusual construction has origins that are shrouded in mystery. With no records to explain its purpose or history, this enigmatic site invites thoughtful speculation and raises intriguing questions about the stories that may lie hidden within its stones.
It is believed that the structure did not appear at this location by accident. Located about 26 kilometers from Kars, between Yahni Mountain and Dumanli Mountain, this soft-stone hill holds an ancient secret that has never been solved. No satisfactory explanation for its existence in this place has ever been given.
Its construction appears intentional, the result of careful planning rather than chance. Yet, there are no inscriptions to guide us, no similar buildings to compare it with, and no stories passed down through local memory. At present, the structure stands without any clear association to a specific date, culture, or name.
On the eastern slope of the structure, facing exactly towards the medieval ruins of Ani, there is a nearly two-meter-high inscription carved into a flat stone. However, its script remains a mystery, and the language it represents hinders identification.
The region’s residents believe the structure may belong to an ancient civilization. Yet there are no clear answers regarding it or the purpose of the inscription that was once carved. For now, the carving only remains as an enigmatic marker on a hill, waiting patiently for exploration and understanding.
The inscription is a puzzle. Image source.
Was it once a watchtower or perhaps a boundary marker? Another proposed explanation is that the stone structure could have served as a sacred site for ancient ritual ceremonies.
There was a time when the landmark represented a tempting target for treasure hunters. Now, this remarkable site in Turkey’s eastern highlands is protected by village guards. This action is really needed because for many years, the mysterious construction drew seekers of fortune, who conducted unauthorized digging in the area.
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The villagers believe that only an official archaeological project can truly preserve the site’s integrity and unlock its historical significance for future generations to cherish and learn from.
No doubt, the mysterious landmark of the region, which has long drawn the interest of residents, plays a significant role in Kars’s historical timeline.
Both the residents and researchers hope that it will be included in future studies of Kars’s broader archaeological landscape. With its direct line of sight to Ani and a distinctive inscription, this site may offer much more than just local intrigue; it could provide evidence of an undocumented phase in the region’s cultural history.
Written by Conny Waters – AncientPages.com Staff Writer