A Gate Opening to the South of Erzurum: Hınıs Plain and Parmaksız Kale Höyük

The Erzurum region in Asia Minor serves as a crucial geographical transition point between Transcaucasia, Northwestern Iran, and Central Anatolia. From the Paleolithic to the Chalcolithic and subsequent Bronze Ages, the number of settlements and population in the area increased. While the region has always been located along key migration routes, its rich mineral resources, extensive agricultural lands, and livestock farming have consistently drawn attention, both in the past and today. The Hınıs Plain, located in the Eastern Anatolia Region, which is predominantly mountainous, plays a key role between the mountainous southern border belt of Erzurum—where the influence of Transcaucasia is strongly felt—and the Muş Plain, which reflects Mesopotamian influence from the early Chalcolithic period onwards. This plain, which holds significant importance, sheds light on numerous socio-economic and political developments that have evolved along the north-south axis since the Chalcolithic period. One of the missing links in the archaeology of the region is Parmaksız Kale Höyük, one of the prominent settlements of the Hınıs Plain. It is located along the northern tributaries of the Hınıs River, which originates from the eastern slopes of Bingöl Mountain and flows through the Hınıs Plain. In this respect, it occupies a strategic position in terms of raw material procurement and transportation. Playing a key role within the plain, Parmaksız Kale Höyük stands out with the archaeological materials recovered during the 2022 surface survey and the 2023-2024 salvage excavations. Based on the findings, the chronological framework of the mound spans the Late Chalcolithic, Early Bronze, Middle Bronze, and Middle Iron Ages. However, apart from Parmaksız Kale Höyük, no other excavations have been conducted in the Hınıs Plain and its surroundings to confirm the accuracy of these layers. Future research and excavations at Parmaksız Höyük will contribute significantly to the understanding of regional history, alongside important archaeological centers such as Pulur, Karaz, Sos, and Güzelova in the Erzurum region.