2,500-Year-Old Sacred Wall Discovered in Ancient City of Blaundos

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Archaeologists in Uşak have unearthed a 250-meter temenos wall surrounding the North Temple at Blaundos, predating the temple itself by six centuries.

2,500-Year-Old Sacred Wall Discovered in Ancient City of Blaundos
Image credit: Halktv

A significant discovery has been made in the ancient city of Blaundos, a natural fortress-like settlement surrounded by deep canyons in the Ulubey district of Uşak. During ongoing archaeological excavations, the 'temenos'—or sacred precinct wall—surrounding the North Temple, one of the city's most prominent structures, has been fully unearthed. Measuring approximately 250 meters in length, this massive wall bears traces of the Hellenistic period and is estimated to be around 2,500 years old [1].

The Boundary Between Sacred and Civil Space

According to Excavation Director İlhan Çavuş, the uncovered wall is not merely an architectural structure but served as a religious boundary. This wall, which separated the sacred area reserved for priests and closed to the general public from the rest of the city, predates the temple itself by approximately 600 years. During the excavations, ancient water lines supplying the temple and various Roman-era coins were also found within the inner section of the wall. These coins are believed to have been part of votive traditions offered to the gods during that period.

The Legacy of Alexander the Great

Blaundos is known as a garrison city founded by Macedonian soldiers during Alexander the Great's Anatolian campaign [2]. Surrounded on three sides by the steep slopes of the Ulubey Canyon, the city is notable for its strategic location. Previous work in the region has already brought significant structures to light for tourism, including a 2,000-year-old stadium and majestic Roman-era aqueducts [3].

Conducted year-round as part of the 'Legacy for the Future' project, these efforts continue to enhance the visibility of Blaundos' cultural heritage. Welcoming approximately 350,000 visitors annually, the new findings in the ancient city provide tangible evidence of daily life and religious practices in antiquity while increasing the region's archaeological significance.

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Image & News Source: Halktv / halktv.com.tr