Minister of Culture and Tourism says they will extend archaeological excavations to 12 months in ancient cities

November 11, 2023 BTT

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Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy announced that they would extend archaeological excavations to 12 months in the ancient cities of Hierapolis, Ephesus, Bergama, Aphrodisias, Sardis, Sagalassos, Labranda, Miletus, Myra, and Notion.

During a presentation at the “Legacy to the Future, Hierapolis” project in the ancient city of Hierapolis located in Pamukkale, Denizli, Minister Ersoy mentioned that he had visited the ancient city of Laodicea in Denizli, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage Temporary List, before the meeting.

TRAJAN MONUMENTAL FOUNTAIN UNVEILED DURING EXCAVATIONS IN LAODICEA

Expressing his satisfaction with the unveiling of the Trajan Monumental Fountain during the excavation works in Laodicea, which was completed in 2 years of restoration, Ersoy stated that the Trajan Fountain was the only example in Anatolia raised with its original sculpture, dating between 113-115 AD, making it unique in the world. He emphasized that the exceptional work of restoring the Trajan Fountain brings new life to one of the symbols of Laodicea and is a restoration practice that can be pointed out in the field of archaeology.

In his speech, Ersoy also noted that the West Theater structure in Laodicea was restored in 2022, opening its doors to events 1600 years later.

HIERAPOLIS, MOST VISITED ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE IN TURKEY

Referring to Hierapolis as Turkey’s most visited archaeological site, Ersoy pointed out that Hierapolis had the potential to be both a source of answers and new questions in human history. He mentioned that the excavations in Hierapolis had started in 1957 and, within the 66 years, only 3.5% of the city had been excavated and restored.

Ersoy stated that it was time to accelerate this process and announced the expansion of archaeological excavation projects in Turkey to 12 months. He mentioned that they would include excavation works conducted by foreign scientific teams in the 12-month excavation project.