Underground Mithras temple discovered in Diyarbakır

Excavations being carried out in the Zerzevan Castle in the southeastern province of Diyarbakır's Çınar district have unearthed a Mithraea, an underground temple where a pre-Christian cult gathered and performed rituals 1700 years ago.
 
The castle, which is located in the Demirölçek neighborhood, 13 kilometers away from the district, served as a military base in the Roman era. Excavations in the castle have been ongoing since 2014 with the contributions of the Culture and Tourism Ministry, Diyarbakır Governor's Office, Çınar District Governor's Office and Dicle University.
 
On an area of a 60,000-square meter field lies the remains of 12 to 15-meter-high and 200-meter-long walls, 21-meter-high watch and defense tower, church, management building, residences, granary and weapon storage, underground sanctuary, shelters, rock tombs, water tunnel and 54 water cisterns. 

The archaeological excavations have so far unearthed an underground church, a 400 person-capacity underground shelter, residences and secret tunnels. 

The most recent discovery at the excavation site was this 700-year-old underground temple of the Mithras religion, which had its center in Rome but lost its popularity after Christianity rose to prominence. 

Çınar District Governor İsmail Şanlı said the cities of Diyarbakır and Mardin can be seen from the Zerzevan Castle.
 
He said the castle had been reinforced throughout history, and armies had to conquer the castle to be able to claim ownership over Diyarbakır.

Şanlı said the castle was old as the city, and excavations had been continuing for four years there. 

"Our goal is to unearth this historic structure. We find a new structure every year in the castle; they shed light on history...