Findings in Anavarza excite archaeologists

The 2020 excavations in the ancient city of Anavarza, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List as it bears the cultural traces of the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Sassanid and Ottoman periods, have been completed. New findings in the ancient city in the southern province of Adana's Kozan district have caused excitement among the archaeologists.

Known as the "Invincible City" in the past, the ancient city attracts attention with its colonnaded street as well as its magnificent crown gate and walls. A stone axe unearthed during excavations this year in the city, which is believed to have a history of 2,000 years, is among the most important finds of the year.

It was reported that the stone axe, which was determined to belong to the Chalcolithic Period, was used in religious ceremonies and rituals.

Speaking to the state-run Anadolu Agency, the head of Anavarza excavations and member of Çukurova University's Faculty of Arts and Sciences Department of Archeology, Fatih Gülşen, said the excavations, which started with a small team at the gate known as the "Triumphal Arch" in 2013, continued with a scientific team of approximately 100 people in 2020.

Stating that the excavations were carried out in the "Triumphal Arch," the colonnaded street, the church, the bathhouse and the amphitheater, Gülşen said that the warehouse, documentation, restoration and conservation work is still continuing. He said that they are working with a mixed team and that Çukurova University and Adana Archeology Museum personnel are in the core staff.

Explaining that they have reached exciting results in the excavations and that the ancient city of Anavarza stands out in many ways, Gülşen said, "It is not only the triumphal arch, but when we enter...

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