Waking up the history
Güncelleme Tarihi:
Doğan News Agency
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Kasım 26, 2008 00:00
DENİZLİ - A large part of Laodicea, one of the seven holy cities mentioned in the Bibleand one of the most important ruins in Turkey, is unearthed thanks to years of work by a team of archaeologists from Pamukkale University
A large section of Laodicea, one of the seven holy cities mentioned in the Bible, was unearthed after six years’ worth of archaeological digging in Denizli.
Many important historical artifacts surfaced during this year’s digs, led by Prof. Dr. Celal Şimşek from Pamukkale University, including colored frescos of quotations from the Bible from the fifth century which were unearthed on the wall of house A. The walls have been fortified and the frescos have been preserved.
Bible of the fifth century
Şimşek said the passages are very important for comparing the Bible of the fifth century and the Bible of today, and added that after detailed research of the frescos, they will be mentioned in an international science magazine and presented at an international panel. There are 14 academics, 15 archaeologists, six restorers, two anthropologists, 85 students and 47 workers involved in the digs. A total fund of YTL 450,000 was obtained from various foundations for this year’s digs that ended Nov. 15, according to Şimşek.
"Laodicea is one of the most important ruins of our country and people from all over the world are visiting so they can observe the digs," Şimşek said, explaining how Laodicea is helping the economy and publicity of Denizli.
Şimşek said the antique city is very important for belief and religious tourism and will be haunted by foreign tourists from now on. "A sleeping giant has awakened," he said. The professor said the digs of this year had focused on the Eastern Byzantium gate and towers, house A, temple A, the Corinthian temple and the northern basilica, the Asapos Hill, the northern theater, and the necropolises at the northwest, northeast and north areas of the site. Among the findings were earthenware, metal, bone, ivory objects and coins, which are being cleaned and preserved.
Precautions taken
Şimşek explained the works of this year: "House A, the grave complex with the atrium at the necropolis of the north, the Eastern Byzantium gate and frescos from the northern tower were fortified and precautions were taken for preservation. Restorations of the eastern Byzantium gate and the eastern and the western towers are completed. Digging and restoration of the Eastern Byzantium Nymphaeum is complete."
When pointing out the importance of the findings, Şimşek said, "The most important of all is the fifth century frescos of quotations from the original bible at house A. These frescos prove that Laodicea was one of the most important centers for belief and commerce of its era."
The international community will be notified of the frescos after detailed reports have been prepared, said Şimşek. Şimşek also explained that, this year, the digging, preservation and restoration of the early Byzantium fountain was completed; a lot of trading material like coins and a scale with weights were found in house A; the marble floor of temple A has been fortified and baroque style decorations also were discovered in temple A. Şimşek also mentioned that they have reached the virgin soil at the diggings of the Asapos Hill and 87 graves were unearthed during excavation of the necropolises.
Many important historical artifacts surfaced during this year’s digs, led by Prof. Dr. Celal Şimşek from Pamukkale University, including colored frescos of quotations from the Bible from the fifth century which were unearthed on the wall of house A. The walls have been fortified and the frescos have been preserved.
Bible of the fifth century
Şimşek said the passages are very important for comparing the Bible of the fifth century and the Bible of today, and added that after detailed research of the frescos, they will be mentioned in an international science magazine and presented at an international panel. There are 14 academics, 15 archaeologists, six restorers, two anthropologists, 85 students and 47 workers involved in the digs. A total fund of YTL 450,000 was obtained from various foundations for this year’s digs that ended Nov. 15, according to Şimşek.
"Laodicea is one of the most important ruins of our country and people from all over the world are visiting so they can observe the digs," Şimşek said, explaining how Laodicea is helping the economy and publicity of Denizli.
Şimşek said the antique city is very important for belief and religious tourism and will be haunted by foreign tourists from now on. "A sleeping giant has awakened," he said. The professor said the digs of this year had focused on the Eastern Byzantium gate and towers, house A, temple A, the Corinthian temple and the northern basilica, the Asapos Hill, the northern theater, and the necropolises at the northwest, northeast and north areas of the site. Among the findings were earthenware, metal, bone, ivory objects and coins, which are being cleaned and preserved.
Precautions taken
Şimşek explained the works of this year: "House A, the grave complex with the atrium at the necropolis of the north, the Eastern Byzantium gate and frescos from the northern tower were fortified and precautions were taken for preservation. Restorations of the eastern Byzantium gate and the eastern and the western towers are completed. Digging and restoration of the Eastern Byzantium Nymphaeum is complete."
When pointing out the importance of the findings, Şimşek said, "The most important of all is the fifth century frescos of quotations from the original bible at house A. These frescos prove that Laodicea was one of the most important centers for belief and commerce of its era."
The international community will be notified of the frescos after detailed reports have been prepared, said Şimşek. Şimşek also explained that, this year, the digging, preservation and restoration of the early Byzantium fountain was completed; a lot of trading material like coins and a scale with weights were found in house A; the marble floor of temple A has been fortified and baroque style decorations also were discovered in temple A. Şimşek also mentioned that they have reached the virgin soil at the diggings of the Asapos Hill and 87 graves were unearthed during excavation of the necropolises.