Hidden history revealed in Ermenek

Best known for coal, the ground beneath the southern Anatolian district of Ermenek is continuing to reveal priceless artifacts from humanity's prehistoric era, as well as more recent ancient civilizations.

Ermenek Mayor U?ur Sözkesen said the district in the Taurus and its vicinity had been a settlement for people since prehistoric ages thanks to its geographical features that enabled inhabitants to shelter and hunt. 

Historical artifacts that have been unearthed during excavations suggested that the city had a history of 4,500-5,000 years, said Sözkesen. "It has seen the traces of the Hittites, Akas, Babels, Persians, Romans, Byzantines and Turks. All these traces can be seen clearly without much effort. It is also possible to find unknown sites and remains in the region."

The mayor said that as part of the work initiated to unearth the historical artifacts in Ermenek, excavations had started this year in three spots under the consultancy of the Karamano?lu Mehmetbey University (KMU) Archaeology Department.

"One of these excavations is the Germanicopolis excavation. This is a graveyard on the skirts of the Firan Castle in the district. The rock tombs here date back to the third century B.C. We believe that that there were tombs from notable people in the area. Lots of findings here have shed light on the unknown pages of history. After being registered by the Karaman Museum Directorate, the findings were collected by Burdur University for examination. Mass graves have been found. Eight-10 people are buried in a single grave." 

Sözkesen said that besides the Firan Castle, there were also Asar and Mennan castles, overlooking the Ermenek Valley. "Work will be carried out in these castles. When the work is done, the district...