Culture Ministry denies claims about ancient theater under Antalya school

ISTANBUL

The Culture and Tourism Ministry has issued a statement about claims that a Roman-era ancient theater has been unearthed under the Antalya Technical School for Girls in the southern province of Antalya’s Kaleiçi neighborhood, as well as claims that the school building may be demolished to unearth the theater. 

“No excavations have been carried out so far in the mentioned field,” the ministry stated. 

“A petition was given on Jan. 24, 2011 to carry out drilling in the Kaleiçi 3rd degree archaeological site in Antalya’s Muratpaşa district and the work ended on April 4, 2011. The cultural assets unearthed in the field have been protected by the property holder with a project approved by the Cultural and Natural Heritage Conservation Board. No excavations or drilling work have been carried out so far in the field of the Antalya Technical School for Girls, which is located east of this field,” it added. 

On July 31 it was claimed that an ancient Hellenistic and Roman-era theater was discovered under a school in Kaleiçi and the school may be demolished to unearth the theater. 

Antalya Museum Director Mustafa Demirel confirmed the information about the excavation work in Kaleiçi,
 saying excavations have been ongoing in the area but the authorities are unable to give detailed information yet.