Would you like to step into a time machine in Samsun and be transported back 60,000 years to the Stone Age, when humans hadn't even discovered metal? If your answer is "yes," then I invite you to the Tekkeköy Caves Archaeology Valley, which holds one of the oldest secrets of the Black Sea. This place is very different from the tourist spots you know; it's a magical gateway where history and nature intertwine, calling you to witness life from tens of thousands of years ago. In this article, we will detail what awaits you in this valley, one of the oldest settlements in the Black Sea, and our list of things to do in Tekkeköy Caves.

Hidden just 14 km from the Samsun city center in a lush green valley watered by the Fındıcak and Çınarcık streams, this area is more than just dark caves. It's a vibrant open-air museum that embraces you with its sculptures reenacting prehistoric life, a museum displaying tools from the period, and a peaceful atmosphere. If you're ready, our journey through time begins!

Discover the caves, one of the first human settlements in the Black Sea

The first thing that will greet you as you step into the valley will be the small and large caves carved into volcanic rock masses. This is where it all began. Close your eyes and imagine that era for a moment: hunter-gatherer people living in the Paleolithic Age (Old Stone Age) used these shelters as their homes. For them, these caves were not just a shelter, but a protected fortress against the wild.

But why here? Why did people not abandon this valley for tens of thousands of years? The answer is hidden in the rocks beneath your feet. In this valley formed by volcanic eruptions, the soft tuff layer under the hard basalt layer served as a natural apartment building for the first humans. These easily carved shelters protected them from both the harsh conditions of nature and wild animals. The coolness and silence you'll feel inside the caves will take you directly to that primitive but safe life.   

See the imitation village houses that bring the prehistoric era to life

As you leave the ethereal silence of the caves and spread out into the valley, a surprise awaits you. Here, history is brought back to life with sculptures and exact replicas of the houses of that period. This open-air museum answers the question, "What was life like in the Stone Age?" not with words, but by seeing and feeling. As you walk among the statues depicting people making tools, hunting, and lighting fires, you will feel like you are in a documentary.

Thanks to these reenactments, children, in particular, can learn history without getting bored, as if on an adventure. These scenes, showing how stone tools were made, how hunted animals were skinned, and the social life of the period, turn the dry information in history books into a concrete experience. This imitation village ensures that the valley is not just an archaeological site but also a living history park. After seeing prehistoric life here, if you want to witness Samsun's more recent history, the (https://www.yerelrehber.com/en/explore/things-to-do/samsun-city-museum) in the city center would be a great complement.

Examine the archaeological findings from the valley in the museum

One of the most crucial points of your tour in the valley is the museum house where replicas of the artifacts unearthed during the excavations are displayed. This is where you will admire the intelligence and skill of the people who lived in the caves. What isn't there among the exhibited works? Sharp arrow and spearheads carved from stone, hand axes, cutters, and scrapers... These are the concrete evidence of those people's struggle for survival.   

Among the findings you will see in the museum, one of the most surprising will be the level of craftsmanship. Yes, there are axes and spearheads made of stone. But what is truly admirable are the tools they made from bone. Archaeologists say that the bone craftsmanship here is even more advanced than similar examples found in Central Anatolia. This small detail is the biggest proof of how intelligent and skilled the people of Tekkeköy were. In addition, pottery from the Bronze Age, human-faced vases (anthropomorphic), bracelets, and needles reveal how important a settlement the valley was for thousands of years.   

Tekkeköy Caves Visitor's Guide

If you've decided to embark on this historical journey, here's what you need to know:

Location: Tekkeköy Caves are located about 14 km east of Samsun city center, right next to the Tekkeköy district center.

Transportation: You can easily reach it by public buses R21 and T4 or Tekkeköy minibuses departing from the center of Samsun. The tram also goes to the district center, from where it's a short walk to the valley. The journey by private car takes about 20-25 minutes.   

Entrance Fee: Here's the best news! Visiting the Tekkeköy Caves Archaeology Valley is completely free.   

Visiting Hours: Since the area is an open-air museum, it is open to visitors at all hours of the day. However, to best explore the museum house and the reenactment areas, you might prefer the hours between 09:00 and 18:00.

A little tip: The valley is also a wonderful picnic and recreation area. You can bring a small basket and relax in the shade of tens of thousands of years of history, intertwined with nature.   

While You're Here...

If you want to continue the adventure after completing your history journey in Tekkeköy, Samsun offers you many alternatives. You can visit the Bandırma Ferry and National Struggle Park to sail into the modern history of this city where the first step of the National Struggle was taken, or you can take the cable car up to Amisos Hill to see the ancient royal tombs and the magnificent city view. If you want to expand your Black Sea tour even further, you can check out our other guides on our site to discover different beauties like   

(https://www.yerelrehber.com/en/explore/things-to-do/rize-kizkalesi) on the steep cliffs of Rize.

Source: For more detailed academic information and official announcements about the region, you can visit (https://www.kulturportali.gov.tr/turkiye/samsun/gezilecekyer/tekkekoy-magaralari).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Is there an entrance fee for Tekkeköy Caves? No, visiting the Tekkeköy Caves Archaeology Valley and the areas within it is completely free.

2. Is the valley suitable for children? Absolutely! The valley is a very educational and fun place for children. The sculptures reenacting prehistoric life, the imitation village houses, and the large green areas will surely capture their interest.

3. How long does it take to get to Tekkeköy Caves from Samsun city center? The journey by private car takes about 20-25 minutes. With public transport (bus, minibus), this time can be 30-40 minutes depending on traffic.