‘Central Anatolia's Ephesus’ being unearthed

The underground parts of the approximately 2,000-year-old aqueducts, located in Kemerhisar, a district of Bor in Niğde, are being brought to light during archaeological excavations.

Kemerhisar, which is protected as an archaeological site and has hosted many civilizations, was known as Tuwanuva during the Hittite period and Tyana during the Roman period. The underground sections of the aqueducts, which are approximately 3 to 4 kilometers long and 10 to 11 meters high, will be restored to their former glory. These aqueducts, built during the Roman era, were designed to carry spring water from the ancient Roman pool in Bahçeli Town to the city of Tyana.

Providing information about the excavation work carried out in the ancient city, known for its uninterrupted settlement until today, the head of the excavation team and Aksaray University Archaeology Department faculty member, Professor Osman Doğanay, said that the ancient city of Tyana can be considered the Ephesus of Central Anatolia.

"It is the first ancient city that opens into Central Anatolia after Gülek Pass, making it an important location. Due to this location, it has been continuously inhabited for at least 5,000 years. The present-day Kemerhisar Municipality is built on top of this ancient city. We began archaeological excavations here in 2016. In 2021, under a presidential decree, the excavations gained 12-month excavation status. This year, under the 'Legacy for the Future' project of the Culture and Tourism Ministry, we continue excavations to open the aqueduct road to visitors. As part of this project, after the aqueducts are unearthed, landscaping and restoration work will be completed, and then we will open the site to visitors," he said.

Doğanay stated that when the work...