OMM Redaksiyası
Recent excavations at Aspendos in southern Türkiye have revealed evidence of settlement dating back 6,000 years, Anadolu Agency reported.
Located in Antalya province’s Serik district, Aspendos was one of the major cities of ancient Pamphylia. Excavations are being conducted under the direction of Mustafa Bilgin, an associate professor at Afyon Kocatepe University, as part of the Culture and Tourism Ministry’s Heritage for the Future Project.
Evidence from the Late Chalcolithic Period
Archaeologists discovered evidence from the Late Chalcolithic Period in soundings beneath the floors of two-story shops, Bilgin said.
“Plates, bowls and various tools from that period revealed that the historical past of Aspendos’ acropolis dates back to 3500-4000 B.C.,” he said.
“Through our recent excavations, we understood that the history of the ancient city dates back 6,000 years from today,” Bilgin added.
He said the findings showed that the fertile area had not been settled only from the Iron Age onward.
Aspendos’ ancient monuments
Aspendos is best known for its nearly 2,000-year-old Roman theater, regarded as one of the best-preserved ancient theaters in Anatolia. The site also includes aqueducts, an agora, a monumental fountain, a temple, a stadium, a council building and an ancient theater street.
Bilgin described the theater as a rare example in Anatolian and Mediterranean archaeology because it has retained nearly all of its architectural elements. He said many of the structures remain standing almost to roof level, while monumental buildings reflecting the period’s landscape are still visible on the acropolis.
Excavations have also uncovered a third-century depiction of the river god Eurymedon, adding to the archaeological importance of the site.
Growing interest in night visits
Bilgin described Aspendos as a “multilayered archaeological site,” saying that most of its structures have survived in forms consistent with their ancient identities.
“This makes Aspendos an important destination in terms of tourism and archaeology,” he said.
The site has attracted more visitors since the Culture and Tourism Ministry introduced night museum visits. Bilgin said visitors particularly enjoy seeing the ancient theater and monumental structures after dark.
