Visitors to the ancient city of Hadrianaupolis, which was used as a settlement in the Late Chalcolithic, Roman and Early Byzantine periods in the Eskipazar district of Karabük, have the opportunity to see the excavations up close.
In the ancient city, which was established in the 1st century BC and was used as a settlement until the 8th century BC, the excavations started in 2003 under the direction of Associate Professor Ersin Çelikbaş. It continues for 12 months without interruption.
Famous for mosaics on the floors of churches, where the biblical rivers Geon, Phison, Tigris, and Euphrates are depicted, and many animals are depicted, such as horses, elephants, panthers, deer, and griffins (the name given to a mixed animal seen in art history), and therefore ” In the ancient city called “Zeugma of the Black Sea”, structures such as two baths, two churches, a defense structure, rock tombs, a theatre, an arched and domed structure, a monumental cultic niche, city walls, villas, other monumental buildings and some cult areas found.
From the findings obtained from the ancient city, for which an application was made to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism by the Governorship of Karabük to be converted into an archaeological site, the movable ones are taken to the museums in the surrounding provinces, while the immovables are preserved in their place.
The 1600-year-old weighbridge was finally unearthed in the square planned structure, which was found 50 meters south of the Four Rivers Church for the first time during the excavations carried out last year, where artifacts such as lines and arrowheads were found.
1800 year old iron mask of a Roman soldier
While the findings shed light on the past of the region, visitors to the ancient city have the opportunity to see the excavations on site.
Visitors can also closely examine ancient coins, personal belongings of the dead, and an 1800-year-old votive plate and an 1800-year-old iron mask of a Roman soldier.
Assoc. Dr. Çelikbaş told Anadolu Agency (AA) that the excavation work continues with a team of 45 students, technical team, academics and experts in the field.
Stating that the restoration and conservation works are continuing alongside the excavation, Çelikbaş said, “The future of Hadrianaupolis is very bright. As the only ancient city in the region, it both attracts the attention of visitors and contributes to the illumination of the history of the region.”
Visitor mobility started in Hadrianaupolis
Çelikbaş stated that works have been started for Hadrianaupolis to gain the status of a ruined place, and noted that the visitor center project prepared for this purpose and the protection roof of the Hamam-A structure were approved by the Ministry.
Stating that there has been a visitor mobility in Hadrianaupolis, Çelikbaş said, “One of the reasons for this is that they had the chance to see the mosaics and structures unearthed during the excavations that lasted for 12 months, and that the newly excavated areas were opened to the service of visitors. Hadrianaupolis became a very important visit and scientific site in a short time. We believe that it will be the center of the city. We welcome everyone.” used the phrases.
Çelikbaş added that informative documents were given to the visitors and coloring books specially prepared for the ancient city were given to the children as gifts.