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Archaeological excavations conducted in a number of ancient cities in the Turkish state of Izmir (west of the country) revealed a unique historical and cultural heritage, which remains a fertile space for discovery.
This report reviews some of the historical treasures that experts have found in the cities of Ephesus, Bergama, Metropolis, and Smyrna, and in the archaeological hills, including Yeşilüv and Uluçuk in Izmir. As a result of drilling and excavation operations in ancient areas.
Journey to the past
The ancient city of Ephesus, which is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List, takes its visitors on a journey into the past through the antiquities it contains, which date back to different civilizations.
“Ephes”, which dates back to 7 thousand years BC, is among the 12 cities in the Ionian region, a name given in ancient times to the coastal strip of the states of Izmir and Aydın.
The city was inhabited during the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine eras, the Turkmen emirates in Anatolia, and the Ottoman Empire. It also includes the Temple of Artemis, which is considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
Among the historical treasures that Ephesus is filled with, there is the Library of Celsus, which dates back to the second century AD, Hadrian’s Gate, the Temple of Domitian, the Magnesia Gate, and Trajan’s Fountain, in addition to the large ancient theater that can accommodate 25,000 people, all of which attract interest. Visitors with its unique architecture.
New discoveries
Meanwhile, experts from the Austrian Archaeological Institute continue to conduct many studies and excavations in Ephesus in cooperation with the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
Experts were able to discover a complex of ancient buildings, dating back about 1,400 years.
During the drilling and excavation work, experts found pottery containers containing oysters, mussels, and pickled fish remains, in addition to other foods, including peaches, almonds, olives, and chickpeas.
Experts found these fossils and remains in a residential area of 170 square metres, which included a well, kitchens, warehouses, restaurants, workshops and shops.
Bergama…a unique natural and cultural area
In turn, Bergama includes antiquities from different civilizations, as well as being included on the UNESCO World Heritage List as a region with unique natural and cultural landscapes.
The city contains the first medical clinic in which the first method of psychological treatment was applied in the world, one of the seven churches mentioned in the Bible, and the largest library established in the continent of Asia.
The city is also witnessing remarkable activity in excavation work, conducted by a team from the German Archaeological Institute and Turkish experts, in cooperation with the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
Through excavations, experts were able to discover 8 new religious sites and many statues dating back 2,200 years ago, in the ancient city and its surroundings.
Dikili Archaeological Cave
As such, the excavations in the cave in the Dikili region, north of Izmir, were among the most important archaeological excavations that excited the scientific and historical circles in the Western Anatolia region.
A team from the German Archaeological Institute and the Turkish University of Ankara conducted excavations that began in the fall of 2021.
Excavation work, which lasted about 6 weeks, revealed that the cave was used as a cult center from the sixth century BC until the Roman era.
During the excavations, layers dating back to the Paleolithic period were also found, and stone tools and bones dating back 14 thousand years were discovered.
“Smyrna” and the World Heritage List
In the archaeological city of Smyrna in the state of Izmir, excavation and excavation work continues as the archaeological city prepares to enter the permanent list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Smyrna Agora, located between the town of Qedifa Qala and the coast of the Aegean Sea, has hosted different cultures for centuries. The city also includes a majestic cathedral, a theater, and a historic water canal.
Smyrna is considered one of the cities that has succeeded in preserving its architectural features, as the city contains wonderful details with its historical columns and mosaics.
The archaeological hill of Yesil Ooh
A team of archaeologists, headed by a lecturer in the Department of Archeology at the Faculty of Arts at the Turkish University of Aegean, Zafar Derin, continues excavation and excavation work in the archaeological hill of Yesil Ooh, which contains antiquities dating back 8,500 years.
During the drilling and excavation work, traces of deities dating back 5,000 years were found, made of marble. It is believed that they represent the “gods of obesity” and were used to bring abundance and health.
Archaeological Hill of Ulujak
The archaeological “Ulujak Hill” is located in the Kemal Pasha area in the state of Izmir. Through excavations and excavations, antiquities dating back to about 8,500 years were found in the archaeological hill.
Recently, small statues of males and females were found, believed to date back to 5700 BC.
