The 3,000-year-old Zerzevan Castle in Diyarbakır, Türkiye, a former Roman military settlement, has gained renewed attention as artificial intelligence brings its ancient Mithras rituals to life. This historical site, listed on UNESCO’s World Heritage Tentative List, houses remnants such as a Mithras temple, underground shelters, a watchtower, and ancient water systems.

Adem Ulusoy, who spearheaded the AI project, highlighted Mithraism’s significance, describing it as one of history’s most enigmatic belief systems. Ulusoy recreated the seven initiation stages of Mithraism using AI, blending historical research with modern technology. “My goal was to reinterpret this mysterious culture and connect it to today,” he stated, thanking the excavation team led by Prof. Dr. Aytaç Coşkun for their support.

Rıdvan Kılıç – Zehra Gayretli