SAMSUN Archaeological excavations launched last year at Asarkale fortress in the Bafra district of Samsun have uncovered cisterns, a temple, a stepped tunnel and other structures dating back to antiquity . Built by Pontic King Mithradates VI Eupator, Asarkale has been the focus of extensive excavations that shed light on the Hellenistic era. The work is carried out under the leadership of Kenan Sürül, director of the Samsun Archaeology Museum, with support from the Samsun Governor’s Investment