The Land of the Amazons

- Themiskyra on the Thermodon River -

For the ancient Greeks, the homeland of the warlike Amazons was never an imaginary fantasy land, far removed from reality, but was clearly defined geographically. It was the land at the mouth of the Thermodon River in northern Turkey. The river's modern name is also quite similar - Terme Çay.
This river flows into the Black Sea about 50 km east of the coastal city of Samsun. The area comprises a fertile plain that is very secluded. It is bordered by inaccessible mountains to the south and east, by the wide Yesil Irmak River to the west, and by the Black Sea to the north, with the coastal strip being heavily marshy in places.
The Amazons were considered excellent riders, and even today you can still see horses roaming freely there.
Themiskyra - the famous city of the Amazons - was located on the Thermodon River.

But where exactly was Themiskyra?
To this day, Themiskyra has not yet been discovered, though it has not yet been thoroughly searched for either! However, there are plenty of traces of a very ancient, highly advanced culture in this area.

Dündartepe
a woman's buttocks with tattoos (?)	female idol from Dündartepe
In Dündartepe, a few kilometers east of the city of Samsun near the coast, the remains of a settlement dating back approximately 4,000 to 5,000 years were discovered. What stands out is the fact that the artifacts are completely different from contemporaneous finds outside this region. Furthermore, the artifacts suggest that women held a prominent position in this culture! More detailed information about Dündartepe and additional photos are available on the Amazon Research Center website.

Karpu Kale
Near the source of the Thermodon (now Terme Çay) in the southern mountain range lie the ruins of a fortress that is extremely inaccessible. Although heavily damaged, it still stands as an imposing structure, suggesting that it was once of great importance. Could this have been the last refuge of the Amazons, who were under heavy siege from all sides? More detailed information about Kapru Kale and additional photos are available on the Amazon Research Center website.

Aretias - The Island of the Amazons
Aretias, now known as Giresun Adasi, is the only island along the entire southern coast of the Black Sea, and it is a place of mystical allure. Even today, this island remains a site of religious significance, and there appears to be a cultural continuity stretching from the Bronze Age to the present day. It was the sacred island of the Amazons; in the Middle Ages, a Byzantine monastery stood there; and today, rituals of pre-Islamic origin are performed here. For instance, there is the mystical Hamza Rock, where wishes are said to come true. Furthermore, a festival takes place on this island every year, in which women play an important role. More detailed information about the Island of the Amazons Aretias and additional photos are available on the Amazon Research Center website.

Gerhard Pöllauer, Geheimnisvolles Lemnos

Amazon Research Center

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Gerhard Pöllauer: The Lost History of the Amazons.