Excavation season opens at Kaunos

This year's excavations have begun in the ancient city of Kaunos in the western province of Mu?la's Köyce?iz district. 

The head of the excavations, Professor Cengiz I??k, said work would continue in the city until October. 

He said excavations in the ancient city first began in 1966, and added, "Next year will be the 50th anniversary of Kaunos excavations. Considering Turkey's archaeological excavations, Kaunos is one of the long-term excavation fields in the country." 

I??k said the nearby Sultaniye hot springs was a sacred place dedicated to the goddess Leto in the ancient ages, and they would continue work this year in the hot springs as well as the theater area and the sacred place of Apollo. 

He said a five-year project had been carried out both underwater and on the ground in the Sultaniye hot springs 10 years ago, and this year they would work again in the same way. 

I??k said the ancient city of Kaunos was on the UNESCO World Heritage Site tentative list, and continued, 
"Kaunos is the most visited ancient site in the region. It should be taken under protection in a bell glass. It is already late to take the region under protection. It is on the temporary list but it is not known when the result [for heritage site status promotion] will come. It took 21 years even for the Ephesus ancient city to get UNESCO status. I don't know how long we will wait but it is already a success to be on the temporary list."