From the Turkish Daily News:
A team of eight students hopes to unearth the remains of an ancient city on the Black Sea coast, regarded by many as the "Ephesus of the Black Sea." Excavations will be made July 15, aiming to unveil the architectural plan of Teion (or Tion) located in the city of Zonguldak's Filyos district.
Archaeologist Sümer Atasoy said the excavation team, composed of a map engineer, an archeologist, an art historian and eight students from Greek Yanya University, will conduct a major dig in the ancient city with a team of 35 people, speaking to the Anatolia news agency.
Saying the excavations will begin July 15 if the team receives an annual grant, Atasoy added: "Our excavations will continue in Turkish baths and castles, and, if we get permission, we will conduct research on jetties under the water. Our two archeologist divers will take their photos. It was the first time an ancient city on the Black Sea coast was excavated and this shows that the Black Sea region is an important area in Turkey."
Atasoy said there is evidence that, together with forestry products, bonitos, small fish, were sold to boost trading. He said the team had already unveiled a special Turkish bath, which leads them to believe the ancient city was the location of other Turkish baths, graves and treatment places.
During the excavations last year, the team found remains of two phalluses, which symbolize productivity and fertility. "We think the remains are dated around the Roman period. The farmers might have been using the fertility goddess to increase productivity, or a man who had trouble having a child might use the goddess of fertility to increase his chances. The excavations will unearth everything," noted Atasoy.
Greek affinity
The ancient city was established by people coming from Mıletos, according to Atasoy, who added, "Traces of the ancient residential areas of Kastamonu, Sinop, Samsun, Ordu, and Trabzon provinces of the Black Sea were all lost. Filyos is the only place that preserves its beauty."
He said conferences held in Greece drew a lot of attention from citizens. "This year many tourists will come and visit the area. With the help of local authorities, we will host our guests for two days. When the remains of the city are unearthed completely, it will make a great contribution to the city's tourism."
A team of 15 workers is now conducting the excavations and, if the university receives any further grants, the number will increase, said Atasoy.
We mentioned this dig last summer as well ...
A team of eight students hopes to unearth the remains of an ancient city on the Black Sea coast, regarded by many as the "Ephesus of the Black Sea." Excavations will be made July 15, aiming to unveil the architectural plan of Teion (or Tion) located in the city of Zonguldak's Filyos district.
Archaeologist Sümer Atasoy said the excavation team, composed of a map engineer, an archeologist, an art historian and eight students from Greek Yanya University, will conduct a major dig in the ancient city with a team of 35 people, speaking to the Anatolia news agency.
Saying the excavations will begin July 15 if the team receives an annual grant, Atasoy added: "Our excavations will continue in Turkish baths and castles, and, if we get permission, we will conduct research on jetties under the water. Our two archeologist divers will take their photos. It was the first time an ancient city on the Black Sea coast was excavated and this shows that the Black Sea region is an important area in Turkey."
Atasoy said there is evidence that, together with forestry products, bonitos, small fish, were sold to boost trading. He said the team had already unveiled a special Turkish bath, which leads them to believe the ancient city was the location of other Turkish baths, graves and treatment places.
During the excavations last year, the team found remains of two phalluses, which symbolize productivity and fertility. "We think the remains are dated around the Roman period. The farmers might have been using the fertility goddess to increase productivity, or a man who had trouble having a child might use the goddess of fertility to increase his chances. The excavations will unearth everything," noted Atasoy.
Greek affinity
The ancient city was established by people coming from Mıletos, according to Atasoy, who added, "Traces of the ancient residential areas of Kastamonu, Sinop, Samsun, Ordu, and Trabzon provinces of the Black Sea were all lost. Filyos is the only place that preserves its beauty."
He said conferences held in Greece drew a lot of attention from citizens. "This year many tourists will come and visit the area. With the help of local authorities, we will host our guests for two days. When the remains of the city are unearthed completely, it will make a great contribution to the city's tourism."
A team of 15 workers is now conducting the excavations and, if the university receives any further grants, the number will increase, said Atasoy.
We mentioned this dig last summer as well ...