Ancoz Explained

Ancoz is the name used in academic literature for an ancient settlement, which is located below the Atatürk Reservoir in the modern state of Turkey. It is located in the modern town of Eskitaş, which used to be called Ancoz.

Location

The ancient settlement, whose name is unknown, was in Commagene, north of the Euphrates, on the Chabinas (modern Cendere Çayı), opposite the ancient city of Charmodara. On the hill where the acropolis was located there were two large springs. Both cities are now under the Atatürk Reservoir.

History

During the Neo-Hittite period (1200-700 BC), Ancoz was a sanctuary site, where the gods Runtiya and Ala-Kubaba were worshipped, with dedicatory inscriptions from King and his son Hattusili. Later, the Commagenian king Antiochus I Theos (69-36 BC) had a sanctuary for the royal cult built - from which many Greek inscriptions survive. This was one of a series of similar sanctuaries built by the same king; the most significant of which was visible from Ancoz: Nemrut Dağı.

The Luwian hieroglyphic inscriptions: Ancoz 1 (lower part),,,, und, are kept in the Adıyaman Archaeological Museum. The upper part of Ancoz 1 is in Adana Archaeology Museum and the location of the rest is unknown.

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