Metropolis Excavations 2020
- Metropolis Excavations 2023
- Metropolis Excavations 2020
- Metropolis Excavations 2019
- Metropolis Excavations 2018
- Metropolis Excavations 2017
- Metropolis Excavations 2016
- Metropolis Excavations 2015
- Metropolis Excavations 2014
- Metropolis Excavations 2013
- Metropolis Excavations 2012
- Metropolis Excavations 2011
- Metropolis Excavations 2010
- Metropolis Excavations 2009
Metropolis Excavations 2020
During the excavations in Metropolis, the City of Mother Goddess, four cisterns, without any previously known traces in the ancient city, have been discovered beneath 7 meters of soil filling. The cisterns are assumed to have been used to meet the water need of the city in the Late Roman Period and they have been almost completely well-preserved to date.
Cisterns had critical importance as long-term sources of water supply, in case of a potential attack to or blockade of the acropolis surrounded by strong fortifications, enabling it to resist the blockade. The total water capacity of the four cisterns discovered in Metropolis is estimated to be 600 tons.
A large quantity of food residues, animal bones and pieces of ceramic discovered during the excavations has led to the conclusion that the community in Metropolis started using the cisterns as dumpsites in the 12th or 13th century AC. An analysis of the animal bones found in the cisterns show that cattle, sheep and goats and poultry were largely consumed. Moreover, marble architectural pieces have been unearthed as they were dumped on the floor of the cisterns, and determined to be dating back to the Hellenistic period before the construction of the cisterns. Among these pieces, a rectangular altarpiece and a piece of commendatory inscription have been found.
Along with the recent excavations and research, the dedicated team have been trying to reproduce the means of production that were used in the social life as source of income in Metropolis. It is planned to reconstruct the olive oil stone press, which was one of the production tools near the ancient city, by using the materials and techniques in the relevant period and to reproduce olive oil, one of the main means of living of the city, with the technology of 2,000 years ago.
The glass furnace, which was completed in the past excavation season and built on the basis of ancient technological knowledge, is planned to be operated soon to reproduce special glasses of Metropolis as they were produced about 1,500 years ago. With the experimental archeology studies, it is aimed to bring forth the production activities in Metropolis using the ancient methods of technology and to engage the visitors in the experimental production stage.
