Asarkale Rock Tombs Located approximately 30 kilometers south of Bafra District and close to the Altınkaya Dam in Samsun, the Asarkale Rock Tombs are a must-see attraction. A stairway leads to a stone fortress with hidden havens and secret passageways that were once used as hiding places. Strategically located in the Paphlagonia Region, Asarkale was intentionally built for military purposes. During the evolution of warfare, tombs dating back to the Hellenistic Age were carved into the bedrock. It is believed that three tombs from this period still exist, as evidenced by their texture, shape, and construction techniques. The three rock tombs, which date back to the 3rd century BC in the Hellenistic Period, are situated in different locations. One tomb is located by the river and accessible from there, while the other two are situated on the slope of the ancient castle's hill. The tunnel, originally built for military purposes, provided river access before asphalt was used to construct roads. The first tomb, situated on the steep northern slope of Asarkale, stands quite high above the road level. It is a typical example of Pontos-Paphlagonia rock tombs, featuring a triangular pediment and a façade with five columns. The second tomb is located on the steep rock on the east bank of the Kızılırmak river and has a triangular pediment and four columns. The third tomb, also with four columns, is located on the rock to the south of Asarkale and is still higher than the road level. It belongs to the other two types of tombs.