Aspendos History Pushed Back 6,000 Years: A Late Chalcolithic Surprise

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Recent excavations at the ancient city of Aspendos in Antalya have revealed Late Chalcolithic finds, extending the site's settlement history to 4000 BCE.

Aspendos History Pushed Back 6,000 Years: A Late Chalcolithic Surprise
Image credit: Arkeolojikhaber

Excavations at the ancient city of Aspendos, located in the Serik district of Antalya and world-renowned for its Roman-era theater, have yielded results that fundamentally redefine the city's history. Recent research has established that the settlement's origins date back 6,000 years to the Late Chalcolithic period. This finding demonstrates that Aspendos served as a strategic habitation site during prehistoric eras, long before its prominence in classical antiquity [1].

Traces from the Depths of the Acropolis

Under the direction of Associate Professor Mustafa Bilgin from Afyon Kocatepe University, deep soundings were conducted beneath the floors of two-story shop structures in the acropolis area. These investigations unearthed ceramic plates, bowls, and various stone tools dating to 3500-4000 BCE. Excavation director Bilgin emphasized that this fertile geography has seen continuous settlement for millennia, rather than beginning only in the Iron Age.

These efforts to illuminate Anatolia's rich cultural heritage, conducted alongside other major projects across Turkey, are reshaping the regional historical narrative [2]. In recent years, Aspendos has remained at the forefront of the archaeological world, not only for its architectural monuments but also for artistic finds such as the depiction of the river god 'Young Eurymedon.' Such discoveries contribute to a vast data pool essential for understanding the evolution of ancient urban centers [3].

A Multi-Layered Cultural Heritage

Aspendos is characterized as a 'multi-layered archaeological site,' featuring structures preserved nearly to roof level. Known for its magnificent Roman theater, aqueducts, and agora, the city now represents a broad historical spectrum stretching from the Late Chalcolithic to the Roman period. Ongoing excavations within the framework of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism's 'Legacy for the Future Project' are expected to provide further clues regarding other previously unknown periods of the city's past.

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