Turkey: Ancient Treasures Uncovered In Laodicea

[Bianca]

                                Turkey: Ancient treasures uncovered in western region






Istanbul,
13 July, 2009
(AKI)

- Archeological treasures including a Greek amphitheatre have been unearthed in the ancient city of Laodicea, which is being excavated in western Turkey. Local businesses have been working with regional leaders in the western province of Denizli on the project, the first of its kind in Turkey.

"Something has taken place here that is unseen in the rest of the country," Celal Simsek, head of the excavation team, told the Anatolia news agency.

"The industrialists and businessmen of Denizli contributed to the Laodicea excavations in 2003-2004. This is the finest example of taking care of an ancient city."

Laodicea, originally called Diospolis, or the City of Zeus, was built by Antiochus II Theos, in 261-253 BC, in honour of his wife Laodice.

Local authorities in Denizli are in charge of the excavation of the ancient Greek city.

"For the past year and a half, we have been responsible for the excavation site," said local mayor Nihat Zeybekci.

While the university conducts the excavations, the municipality provides protection, security, and finance under supervision by the culture ministry.

Simsek is also head of the archaeology department at Denizli Pamukkale University.

He has been working at the ancient site for seven years and said he loved the place as if it were his own child.

"There was nothing here when we started working," said Simsek.

He said he and his team had unearthed a street, a city door and its towers, a monumental fountain, a temple, theatres, and the biggest coliseums in ancient Anatolia or Asia Minor, where the modern Turkish Republic is located.

Simsek said they had created a "living park of archaeology" in one of the longest excavations in Turkey.

Businessmen from Denizli Chamber of Industry also provides funding for the excavation team.