Ancient granaries found in Denizli

DENİZLİ – Anadolu Agency

AA Photo

Structures from 1,900 years ago have been unearthed during archaeological excavations in the ancient city of Tripolis, located in the western province of Denizli’s Buldan district. The structures were used as granaries, according to officials. 

The archaeological excavations have been ongoing in Tripolis, located on a triangle of Phrygia, Karia and Lydia. 

The head of the excavations, Pamukkale University Archaeology Department member Associated Professor Bahadır Duman, said this year’s work had begun in the ancient city in March, adding a surface survey proved the region dated back to 5,000 years ago and had been reestablished in the 2nd century. 

“The area of granaries is one of the fields where we are working this year. It is made up of two buildings attached to each other. Tripolis is located along a plain watered by the Menderes River. Therefore, these granaries show us that agricultural activities were also carried out in the ancient ages. We analyze these structures with the support of academics from biology and geology departments. We are working to find out what kinds of grains were produced there,” he said. 

Duman said they estimated the granaries were built in the Roman era. “We expect to find other granaries. We have made geo-radar work. First examinations show that there were more granaries,” he said.