An Italian archaeological team has resumed its dig for 2007 in what has become a 50-year-long excavation of the ancient city of Hierapolis, located near the city of Denizli. Under the leadership of Professor Francesco D’Andria, the excavation has been maintained by a 70-member team drawn from seven universities. Approximately 30 historical buildings and many important discoveries have been unearthed over the last 50 years, according to the professor. “We have been doing [this] for years. I first came to Hierapolis when I was 30. Now I am 64 and yet I still keeping on digging to reveal the historical richness here,” said Professor D’Andria.
Emphasizing that in spite of the excavations, the bigger part of the city is still under the soil and that for this reason they would continue their work, D’Andria added: “Hierapolis is a worldwide-known ancient city. The travertine in particular [a form of limestone deposited by springs] attracts the tourists. We, as the Italian committee, have been working here for 50 years, yet still we are not finished due to the huge size of Hierapolis. For this reason, constant excavations and restorations are being conducted. We have carried this out over every point of the ancient city. However, we have only unearthed about 30 percent of the whole city. The other 70 percent of the city could take another 100 years, because it is that huge.”
Highlighting that the restoration of an antique theatre, with a capacity for 10,000 people, was the most important discovery of the ongoing dig, D’Andria said: “We want to restore the marble face of the antique theatre next year. We give importance to this work because it will be the most beautiful and important theatre in Turkey when it is finished. Ninety percent of the marble used in the decoration of the theatre is undamaged. We will make this like Aspendos and other important theatres.”
D’Andria also pointed out another important discovery at the south entrance to Hierapolis: A gymnasium built around A.D. 600, during the reign of Roman Emperor Augustus. The unearthed building bears a plaque on its front facade with the words, “This gymnasium is the biggest gymnasium.”
“The young visitors to the gymnasium were probably taking classes on subjects like literature and sports,” explained Professor D’Andria, adding that it was probable that the building was affected by an earthquake in A.D. 60, which caused all of the supporting pillars to fall. “But most importantly,” he said, “all parts are in their original places, without having broken into pieces due to the earthquake. For this reason, the restoration will be easier. I am sure there will be important discoveries in the excavation site over the following two months. When the excavation and restoration activities are completed, we will show a very important building at the entrance for those visitors coming in through the south door.”
Domestic News - Resource: Today’s Zaman
