Few travelers realize that Istanbul, a city famed for its Byzantine mosaics and Ottoman grandeur, also cradles one of Europe’s most important prehistoric sites. Hidden on the outskirts of the metropolis lies Yarımburgaz Cave—a haunting, timeworn cavity carved into the limestone cliffs along the Altınşehir Valley. Often overlooked and underprotected, this cave may well be the earliest human settlement in all of Turkey—and one of the oldest in Europe.
Its story is not just ancient; it’s primordial.
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A Window into the Paleolithic
Archaeologists have dated Yarımburgaz Cave back to the Lower Paleolithic period, at least 400,000 years ago. The site has yielded stone tools, hearths, and fossilized animal bones, offering rare insight into early hominid life in the region. Some of the bones belong to now-extinct species such as cave bears, rhinoceroses, and ancient deer—remnants of a radically different climate and ecology.
Excavations led by Şevket Aziz Kansu and later by İsmail Kılıç Kökten during the mid-20th century placed Yarımburgaz firmly on the archaeological map. It was one of the first sites in Turkey to challenge the prevailing notion that Anatolia had been only a corridor—not a cradle—of early human settlement.
A Two-Level Time Capsule
The cave comprises two levels:
🔹The lower gallery, darker and more enclosed, was used primarily by prehistoric humans. This area contains hearths, flint tools, and signs of long-term habitation.
🔹The upper gallery, more spacious and accessible, became a Byzantine-era chapel—with traces of wall paintings and even carved crosses that point to early Christian usage.
This duality makes Yarımburgaz especially intriguing: a cave once sheltering Paleolithic hunters would later resonate with chants of Byzantine monks. Few places embody such a continuum of human existence.
A Site in Peril
Despite its immense archaeological and anthropological value, Yarımburgaz Cave remains shockingly neglected.
In recent decades, the site has suffered from vandalism, looting, and even film crews using the cave as a backdrop for horror movies—some of which damaged ancient layers of sediment and graffiti-covered the walls.
The lack of protection reflects a broader trend in Turkey where Neolithic and Paleolithic sites are underappreciated compared to Greco-Roman and Ottoman heritage.
Today, reaching the cave requires effort and discretion. There are no official tours, no signage, and no preservation team on-site.
Getting There
Yarımburgaz Cave is located near Altınşehir, in the Başakşehir district of Istanbul, close to the Küçükçekmece Lagoon. You can drive or take public transit to Altınşehir, but reaching the cave itself involves a short but rugged hike through semi-urban terrain.
🗺️ Coordinates: 41.0231° N, 28.7362° E
Why It Matters
Yarımburgaz is not just a relic—it’s a challenge to collective memory. In an age where humanity races toward the future, this cave reminds us of where we came from—long before empires, before cities, before language.
For those willing to venture beyond Istanbul’s tourist trail, Yarımburgaz offers something that no palace or mosque can: a direct confrontation with the timelessness of being human.
Join Us in the Shadows of the Past
At The Other Tour, we believe in showing visitors a side of Istanbul that goes beyond postcards and monuments. If you’re intrigued by sites like Yarımburgaz Cave, reach out to us. While official access is limited, we’re always researching new ways to responsibly bring light to forgotten corners of the city’s vast history.
📩 Contact us to learn more about private tours, archaeological excursions, or to suggest collaborations that help preserve this ancient treasure.
