DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5541#0405
374
LEAVE AMASIA.
[Chap. xxii.
CHAPTER XXII.
Leave Amasia—Extensive plain—Tchoterlek Irmak, anc. Scylax—Hadji Kieui—
Achmet Bey—Village of Aur-hat—Tchaana— Tekiyeli—Tchorum—Ruined
Castle—Inscriptions—Bigotry of the Inhabitants—Course of Rivers—Tckiych
Hatap—Kara Hissar—Its lofty Rock—Euyuk—Remarkable Ruins—Alajali—
Road to Yeuzgatt—Arrive there—Excursion to Nefez Kieui—Ruins at Boghaz
Kieui, anc. Tavium.
Monday, August 15.—We left Amasia for Tchorum, distant
eighteen hours, at half-past eight, and for the first three
miles retraced our steps along the road to Zilleh ; then turn-
ing to the west we crossed the Iris by a stone bridge, and
ascended a low ridge of hills in which trap rocks had been
forced up through vertical beds of schist. Descending from
these hills into the plain of Amasia, we continued for about
eight miles along its northern limits, at the foot of low
hills, consisting chiefly of volcanic sand or peperite, occa-
sionally stratified, and containing a few boulders of trap.
From the hills above mentioned I distinctly saw the Tchoter-
lek Irmak to the south, issuing from a narrow valley
and flowing towards the Iris. On the hills to the right the
village of Bahglijah was half a mile off, and that of Zara a
few miles further to the N.W.
This plain, like many others, bears evident proofs of
having been a lake at some former period; and I could trace
along its border the marks of ancient beaches, extending
at the same level round all the sinuosities of the hills; in
some places, indeed, two were visible, perfectly parallel to
each other, and even more distinctly marked than the road
itself. Many parts of this plain are still flooded in winter
by the waters of the Tchoterlek Irmak, which is so swollen
at that time that the bridge in the centre is impassable,
and the river can only be crossed higher up, where it
emerges from the hills.
LEAVE AMASIA.
[Chap. xxii.
CHAPTER XXII.
Leave Amasia—Extensive plain—Tchoterlek Irmak, anc. Scylax—Hadji Kieui—
Achmet Bey—Village of Aur-hat—Tchaana— Tekiyeli—Tchorum—Ruined
Castle—Inscriptions—Bigotry of the Inhabitants—Course of Rivers—Tckiych
Hatap—Kara Hissar—Its lofty Rock—Euyuk—Remarkable Ruins—Alajali—
Road to Yeuzgatt—Arrive there—Excursion to Nefez Kieui—Ruins at Boghaz
Kieui, anc. Tavium.
Monday, August 15.—We left Amasia for Tchorum, distant
eighteen hours, at half-past eight, and for the first three
miles retraced our steps along the road to Zilleh ; then turn-
ing to the west we crossed the Iris by a stone bridge, and
ascended a low ridge of hills in which trap rocks had been
forced up through vertical beds of schist. Descending from
these hills into the plain of Amasia, we continued for about
eight miles along its northern limits, at the foot of low
hills, consisting chiefly of volcanic sand or peperite, occa-
sionally stratified, and containing a few boulders of trap.
From the hills above mentioned I distinctly saw the Tchoter-
lek Irmak to the south, issuing from a narrow valley
and flowing towards the Iris. On the hills to the right the
village of Bahglijah was half a mile off, and that of Zara a
few miles further to the N.W.
This plain, like many others, bears evident proofs of
having been a lake at some former period; and I could trace
along its border the marks of ancient beaches, extending
at the same level round all the sinuosities of the hills; in
some places, indeed, two were visible, perfectly parallel to
each other, and even more distinctly marked than the road
itself. Many parts of this plain are still flooded in winter
by the waters of the Tchoterlek Irmak, which is so swollen
at that time that the bridge in the centre is impassable,
and the river can only be crossed higher up, where it
emerges from the hills.