The Bolu Museum Directorate submitted an application to the Ankara Regional Board for the Protection of Cultural Heritage under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, requesting the protection of the historic rock carvings and settlement in the Avlatarla area of Karadoğan village, Kıbrıscık. Following an on-site inspection and the preparation of a report, the decision was published in the Official Newspaper of Türkiye.
Under Decision No. 4684 of the Ankara Regional Board for the Protection of Cultural Heritage, the historic wall carvings have been registered and protected as a “First-Degree Archaeological Site.”
It is believed that the rock-hewn structures in Kıbrıscık were used by the local Byzantine population between the 7th and 9th centuries AD for protection and habitation.
The area is noted for its rock monastery, rock-hewn burial chambers, and hermit cells. The historic rock settlement bears similarities to the Solaklar, Muslar, and Çeltikdere rock houses in the Seben district.
According to information provided by Kıbrıscık Municipality, the Kaleönü (Elliönü) caves contain a small rock chapel with three naves, plastered walls, and a burial compartment, as well as 3-4 interconnected cells likely used as hermit rooms and a rock-hewn burial chamber.
These findings suggest that the caves date back to the Roman period and were part of a rock monastery.
Additionally, two fountains with water basins, one with a cistern, are located in the Çukur neighborhood of Belen village.
The irregular cut stones used in the construction of the fountains and the lime mortar, along with the structures of nearby graves, indicate that this area also dates back to the Roman period.
Furthermore, rock shelters, known as Alcının Kayası, are located on steep slopes overlooking Uludere. These shelters are found to be similar to the rock shelters in Muslar village, Alpagut village, and Çeltikderesi in the Seben district. These shelters were likely used by the local Byzantine population for protection during the Arab-Byzantine conflicts in Central and Northern Anatolia between the 7th and 9th centuries AD.
