Ancient bath remains found in Harran

The remains of a 1,400 year old bath have been discovered in the southeastern province of Şanlıurfa’s Harran district, one of the world’s oldest settlements.

The city’s history dates back to 6,000 B.C, and it is known to have been the capital of Assyrians and Emevis.

Harran is distinguished by its structures of schools, temples, madrasahs, mosques and city walls, and archaeological excavations have been continuing in the area to unearth more ancient artifacts.

During the more recent works to clear the city walls, the remains of a bath were found, and it is estimated that there were 14 more baths in the area.

The head of the excavations, Professor Mehmet Önal said last year they had found a water well right next to a large inscription and such findings indicated the existence of baths. “Small remains make the traces of a number of them clear,” Önal said.

“The walls are plastered and a water well was found right next to the remains. This is why we think this place was probably a bath. The place where people performed ablutions will be revealed after further excavations. We estimate that the bath is around 1,400 years old,” he said, adding that the Eyyubis ruled the region at that time.

Önal said in a separate excavation area close to the bath remains, they had found a small room and traces of a cellar. “We estimate that these remains belong to a school,” he added.