Archaeological excavation and restoration of Roman baths in Ankara will continue this year as part of a large archaeological project dating back to 1937. The Roman baths in Ankara, the second largest bath complex in the world, were built between 212 A.D. and 217 A.D. during Roman Emperor Caracalla's reign.

This year the work -- which is funded by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and which has been performed at different areas of the site every year since 1937 -- will include restoration of marble columns along what is known as the sacred path. The floors of the frigidarium, a room with a large cold pool that people would use after enjoying a hot Roman bath, and the apoditerium, the main entry to the baths containing a large changing room, will also be restored this year.

Last year a unique 2.2-meter statue was found during excavations, and it is being exhibited at the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations in Ankara. Smaller items that were found last year included oil lamps and tools made of bone. The archaeological team also discovered parts of the sacred path, which begins from the Roman baths and extends to the Augustus Temple.

The excavated parts of the site were covered with geotextile membranes last year to prevent soil from eroding from banks and filling areas that had already been exposed.