AN EXAMPLE TO THE FORTRESSES AND STEPPED TUNNELS IN THE EASTERN PONTIC REGİON: KALEDERE FORTRESSÇAMOLUK- AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVALUATION IN THE LIGHT OF NEW EVIDENCE

Kaledere Fortress, which is located on the borders of the Çamoluk district of Giresun Province is a part of the region controlled by the Mithridatic Dynasty (281-63 BC) and this region is known as the Pontic Kingdom. Kaledere Castle, which we determined during our systematic archaeological surveys in Giresun and Giresun Island, is located in the mountainous region of Giresun province. Çamoluk district is located on the natural, historical road connecting Eastern Black Sea Region to the Eastern Anatolia Region (Erzincan-Refahiye). The fortress also has a position on the Gümüşhane-Giresun-Sivas border, which controls the road route along the Kelkit (Lykos) stream in the east-west direction. The lack of information about the Mithradates Dynasty period does not fully reflect the area of Eastern Pontus domination in this period. Archaeological and historical studies in the Eastern Black Sea Region are still inadequate. The Kaledere Fortress and the Stepped Tunnel which identified in the Çamoluk district are remarkable with the architectural remains of the Hellenistic period and belongs to Mithradates Dynasty period. When we consider that the archaeological and historical studies in the Eastern Black Sea Region are inadequate, Kaledere Fortress and the stepped tunnel are important to remedy this drawback.