Archeologists conducting research in Urla reach 2500 yr old ruins of Aphrodite temple
A team of scientists scanning 1600 square kilometers within the framework of the Urla Cesme Peninsula surface survey project with the permission of the Ministry of culture and Tourism have found the remains of the “Temple of Aphrodite” dating back 2 thousand 500 years. It is reported that the survey is conducted under the direction of Dr. Elif KOPARAL, an associate professor from the Department of Archaeology at Mimar Sinan University of Fine Arts.
During work carried out in an area of about 1600 square kilometers, which bear traces of Ionian civilization, 35 prehistoric settlements were identified, 16 of which date from the late Neolithic period.
460 settlements and landscape elements were identified in the region, where there were sanctuaries, tumuli, footpaths, terraces, villages, farms used in ancient times. In the research, data on the economic and social relations of the people living in the region, whose history dates back to 6 thousand BC, were also obtained.
It is reported that surface studies in the area were started in 2006. Ms. KOPARAL said that the peninsula was known to be a Neolithic settlement and thanks to this work, an important social and economic network had emerged in the entire region. She also added that in their findings, they had realized that people had settled at a certain distance from each other at that time.
The scientist also shared following: “We’ve identified a Temple of Aphrodite from fifth century BC. It was an exciting find. The remains of the temple are very impressive… A rural temple… Aphrodite was a very common cult at that time. The findings we have indicate that there is a Temple of Aphrodite in this area. Finding a temple in surface research is not very common. The area we found was not within reach of the vehicle. It can be reached by a 1.5-hour walk from the path. We found a statue of a woman on the floor, and then we came across a terracotta figure of a woman’s head. From the findings, we understand that there must have been a cult site in the area. After scanning the epigraphic transmissions, it was most likely the Temple of Aphrodite. There is also an inscription around the temple. It sets the boundary by saying, ‘This is a sanctuary.’ We also uncovered the temple plan by scanning through the Earth.”
Dr. KOPARAL said the first find of the temple had been realized in 2016, adding they had also announced this to the world with an article. KOPARAL who noted that surface research was quite difficult, said that it was very exciting to access finds and information from past periods. She emphasized that they had obtained important information about a sacred area with tumuli and caves where the graves of important people in history were located. She also drew attention to the point that urbanization and treasure hunters were greatest threats to such historical treasures. Emphasizing that they strive with local people to protect historical artifacts, KOPARAL noted that they sometimes stood together against treasure hunters in the area.
