Archaeological Discovery in Turkey

Recent excavations in Turkey have unveiled a significant site that was originally a Roman hospital and later transformed into a Christian holy place, shedding light on a rich historical narrative.

Ankara’s state broadcaster reported this find on October 8. The ruins emerged from the ancient city of Kaunos, located in the Mugla province of southwestern Türkiye. They were situated within the monastery region encased by the city walls.

Kaunos has long been a draw for tourists, thanks to its remarkable rock-hewn Lycian tombs, intricate ancient mosaics, and a grand theater that accommodates 5,000 seats. It’s worth noting that this site also holds a place on UNESCO’s World Heritage Tentative List.

Archaeologists have now added a third-century Roman hospital to their discoveries. This establishment was once a military hospital during Roman rule.

Excavations at this Late Antiquity complex began in 2022, but the details of this specific discovery were only recently revealed.

Ufuk Čeltyuk, the excavation leader, shared that previous digs had uncovered “instruments particularly associated with the medical field.” He mentioned, “This year, we’ve seen a noticeable increase in the types of medical devices found.”

From the findings, it seems the initial phase of the complex can be traced back to the 2nd or 3rd century AD, functioning primarily as a health center or hospital.

Choltuk pointed out that over time, the hospital catered to not just soldiers but also to local residents.

Interestingly, during the period of Christianization, this building was converted into a church, catching the excavators off guard. “We uncovered a structure on the upper terrace of the complex this year, revealing a remarkably preserved church,” Choltuk noted.

He estimates that this transformation happened around the 6th century AD, stating, “It remains intact in every aspect.” He elaborated, “The church indicates that the third-century hospital evolved into a religious center in the Christian era, around the 6th century AD.”

During the excavation, coins from the Aydinid principality were found, a ruling entity from the 13th to 14th centuries, reflective of the Turkish period as well.

This discovery adds to a plethora of recent archaeological finds in Asia Minor. For instance, in Troy, authorities recently revealed a gold brooch and a rare jade stone, offering insights into the city’s pre-Greek era. This summer, archaeologists in Olympus unearthed a 5th-century Christian church inscribed with the phrase: “Only those who follow the righteous path may enter here.”