The “Hekimdere Rock Paintings,” discovered in Rize and considered the oldest evidence of a Turkish presence in the region, were examined in depth at a workshop hosted by Ondokuz Mayıs University (OMÜ).!! [](![karadeniz-de-turk-varliginin-e_1776515787_u2neZM] (karadeniz-de-turk-varliginin-e_1776515787_u2neZM.webp “karadeniz-de-turk-varliginin-e_1776515787_u2neZM”))
As part of a project supported by TÜBİTAK, technological analyses of the historical heritage in the Black Sea Region and traces of steppe societies in the region’s history were evaluated at a workshop held in Samsun. The Oldest Trace of Turkish Presence: Hekimdere The focus of the workshop was the “Hekimdere Rock Paintings” located in the Anzer Plateau of Rize’s İkizdere district. It was emphasized that these works—which are the first and only known painted rock art in the Black Sea Region—constitute one of the oldest pieces of evidence of Turkish presence in the region. Project director Assoc. Prof. Dr. Okay Pekşen noted that the data proves the region’s earliest inhabitants were steppe societies originating from Central Asia. Historical heritage examined using engineering techniques During field research conducted in the districts of İkizdere, Çamlıhemşin, and Hemşin with permission from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, paint samples were collected from the Şenköy Mosque and historic mansions. These samples were analyzed using advanced engineering characterization techniques to thoroughly examine the technological levels and origins of the historical structures. The academic community and researchers participated in full force
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