Ancient saltpan first in Anatolia

Archaeological work in the ancient city of Kaunos has unearthed a 2,000 year-old saltpan. The ancient city, which dates back to 3,000 years ago, is located in the Dalyan neighborhood in the western province of Mu?la's Ortaca district. 

Mu?la S?tk? Koçman University Rector Professor Mansur Harmandar said they have been carrying out scientific work in the region since ?ztuzu beach was handed over to the university. 

He said a team headed by Professor Cengiz I??k was working in the area, which is home to many historical artifacts. 

The professor said during the course of the work they had discovered an area where salt was produced, and continued: 

"Forty-eight saltpans were unearthed in the area of ?ztuzu beach. A project will be made soon to help the area gain tourism. We are currently working on a project in which ancient-era work will be revived. Our purpose is to boost tourism in the area as well as protect and use it."

Harmandar said the ancient city of Kaunos was a center of trade and civilization in the past, and excavations and scientific studies showed that the locals earned great income from salt production in the region. 

Most important finding 

The deputy head of Kaunos excavations, Assistant Professor Ufuk Çörtük, said Kaunos had a very significant position among Anatolian cities and excavations had been ongoing there since 1966. 

Çörtük said 48 salt platforms and four channels had been unearthed in the ancient saltpan facility, adding, "The most important outcome of the Kaunos excavations is the saltpans. 2,000 year-old saltpans made us very excited."

He said the ancient facility was located on a narrow sand dune on ?nceburun Hill behind ?ztuzu beach, adding the...