For the first time in history, archaeologists have discovered artifacts from the Casca people (photos included). This is a remarkable find!

During excavations in the İnyonü Cave, located in northern Turkey, archaeologists discovered Bronze Age artifacts that may represent the first tangible evidence of the existence of the Casca people. This group was previously known only from Hittite records, writes Arkeonews.

The Casca, also referred to as Kaskans, Gags, or Kaskii, were an ancient group inhabiting remote valleys between the northern borders of the Hittite Empire and the Black Sea. Historical records indicate that they engaged in pig farming and flax weaving, but they left no written language or permanent cities.

Historical accounts from Hittite sources depict the Casca as formidable raiders who utilized the mountainous terrain to launch attacks against the Hittite Empire. Around 1400 BCE, they successfully captured key Hittite religious cities, particularly Nerik and Zalpu, securing their place in history as a persistent adversary of the empire.

The third layer of the İnyonü Cave, dating to the late Bronze Age (1650-1200 BCE), revealed significant artifacts associated with this little-known people. Hamza Ekmen, the scientific director of the excavations, noted that the discovered items, including tools, weapons, and seals, share similarities with Hittite-era artifacts but stand out with their unique characteristics, indicating their cultural identity.

The excavations in the İnyonü Cave also highlighted its significance as the oldest known settlement in the western Black Sea region, with evidence of human habitation dating back 6,500 years to the Eneolithic period. Archaeologists uncovered items from five different settlement periods, including materials linked to the Hittites, the dominant civilization of the late Bronze Age. Among the artifacts found are a dagger identical to one discovered in the Hittite city of Shapinuwa and wooden platforms believed to have served as storage or living spaces.

Ekmen emphasized the importance of these findings for future research, stating that the İnyonü Cave could be the first archaeological site directly associated with the Casca people. "The location of the cave and the artifacts are closely tied to descriptions in Hittite texts, providing significant evidence of the existence of the Casca," he explained.

This site, which is currently protected, continues to be a center for archaeological research. Excavations aim to further unveil the mysteries surrounding the Casca and their interactions with neighboring civilizations, offering valuable insights into the history of Anatolia.

Additionally, we discussed who built the Dragon Houses and why. Scholars only have theories regarding the purpose of these monuments.