Excavations in Kyzikos to search for Hadrian relief

BALIKESİR - Doğan News Agency

One of the highest column headings seen in the Roman era has been found in ancient city of Kyzikos.

This year’s excavations have recently started in the 2,500-year-old ancient city of Kyzikos in the northwestern province of Balıkesir’s Erdek district. The works will focus on finding the Hadrian relief, which is expected to shed light on history.

Erzurum Atatürk University academic and head of the excavations, Associate Professor Nurettin Koçhan said this year’s goal was to reveal the surroundings of the Hadrian Temple, which is considered as the “eighth wonder of the world” by European travelers. During the first days of excavations, they had found the head and body pieces of human figures, which are seen in Roman friezes, as well as the head of a marble female sculpture, he said. “Statements about these findings will be made after carrying out the necessary examinations,” he said.

“We have started excavations in the area where we found the column heading last year. This is the most important finding here in the last two years and one of the highest column headings seen in the Roman era. An ancient source talks about a relief of Hadrian in the temple area. If it is right, I believe we can find its remains,” Koçhan said