Recent excavations in the ancient city of Pompeiopolis, a Roman city located in Kastamonu's Taşköprü district, uncovered a forum and the temple of Roman Emperor Augustus.

A team including renowned German geophysicist, Jörg Fassbinderm, who calls the discovery quite promising has carried out the excavation work at the site.

While other Temples of Augustus also exist in Ankara and İzmir's Bergama region, the recent temple found in the ancient city of Pompeiopolis is the best preserved, said excavation team leader, Latife Summerer, of Munich University in Germany. He added that no other sample existed in the Black Sea region and that they hoped to find other items such as inscriptions and coins in further excavations at the site.

About Pompeiopolis:

Pompeiopolis was a Roman city-state in ancient Paphlagonia, situated today in Kastamonu's Taşköprü district. Pompeiopolis is believed to have been established by a Roman general and politician, Pompey (Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus), in 64 B.C.

The first excavations in the area, which uncovered some columns and mosaic tile panels were conducted in 1910, however a devastating fire that broke out in 1927 in the nearby residential area greatly harmed the ruins. Many of the artifacts that were revealed in early excavations are currently being exhibited in the Kastamonu Archaeology Museum.

In addition to recent findings, the remains of the city today also consist of an acropolis, rock-cut tombs, tumulus, a bridge and remains of houses with mosaic tile floors. Archaeological works indicate that many more artifacts and remains may be uncovered with further archaeological digging.

It is believed that Pompeiopolis was shortly deserted in the late sixth or early seventh centuries A.D. after attacks by Persian or Arab tribes. The Turks conquered the region in the 11th century.