Discovery of Ancient Roman Hospital in Turkey

Recent archaeological digs in Turkey have revealed the remnants of a Roman hospital that later became a Christian holy site. This finding sheds new light on a part of history that spans centuries.

According to Ankara’s state-run broadcaster, Anadolu Agency, the announcement was made on October 8. The ruins were uncovered in the ancient city of Kaunos, located in the Mugla province of southwestern Turkey. They were found within the monastery area of the city walls.

Kaunos has attracted numerous tourists over the years, thanks to its striking rock-hewn Lycian tombs, intricate mosaics, and a theater that seats 5,000 people. Remarkably, the site is also noted on UNESCO’s World Heritage Tentative List.

Archaeologists have now added this third-century Roman hospital to their roster of significant sites. Initially, the building served as a military hospital during the Roman era.

Excavations at this Late Antiquity complex began in 2022, but the hospital discovery took place just recently. The excavation leader, Ufuk Çeltyuk, mentioned that past digs had turned up tools specifically related to the medical field. “This year, we’ve seen an uptick in these medical devices,” he remarked.

“Based on the items we’ve found, we can determine that the first phase of this complex dates back to the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD, functioning primarily as a health center or hospital,” he added. Interestingly, Choltuk pointed out that the hospital eventually catered to both soldiers and civilians.

During the Christianization period, this facility underwent transformation into a church, which surprised the excavating team. “We found a structure on the upper terrace of the complex, and this year we fully exposed it, uncovering a well-preserved church,” said Choltük.

Chertyuk believes that the hospital was repurposed into a religious site in the 6th century AD. “It’s remarkably intact in every aspect,” he said.

“This discovery reinforces the idea that the 3rd-century hospital transitioned into a religious center during the 6th century AD,” he noted. Moreover, excavators have uncovered coins from the Aydinid principality, which ruled in the 13th to 14th centuries and were also in circulation during the Turkish period.

This finding is just one of several significant archaeological discoveries in Asia Minor recently.

In related news, authorities in Troy have showcased a gold brooch and a rare jade stone, providing insight into the city’s pre-Greek history. Also, archaeologists at Olympus unearthed a 5th-century Christian church inscribed with a message that reads: “Only those who follow the righteous path may enter here.”