Excavations to start in city of Amos for the first time

MUĞLA – Anadolu Agency

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Excavations are soon set to start on the 2,200-year-old Amos, one of the most important ancient cities in the southwestern province of Muğla’s Marmaris district. 

Located on a hill in the Turunç neighborhood’s Kumlubük area, Amos will host teams from the Marmaris Museum Directorate, Selçuk University and the Marmaris Trade Chamber (MTO) during the excavation process. 

MTO Chairman Mehmet Baysal said they had previously made environmental arrangements in Amos and registered the monumental artifacts in the ancient city, which is almost 25 kilometers away from the center.
 
He said that for the archaeological excavations, they had initiated joint work with the Marmaris Museum Directorate and Selçuk University. 

“We have finished the feasibility work. The university determined a budget of 467,000 Turkish Liras for the excavations, which are set to continue for three years,” he said. 

He said works would start in the ancient city in the event that they found a budget, noting that the university was looking for a sponsor. “If they can’t find a sponsor, the chamber will provide support,” he added. 

Baysal said they planned to start excavations next fall. “The ancient city of Amos has never been excavated. University academics, who will carry out works there, think they will be able to find very precious artifacts in Amos and make a great contribution to tourism in Marmaris.” 


Ancient city of Amos 

One of the most important cities of the Union of Rhodes, Amos means “the Goddess Temple” in a dialect of Ancient Greek. 

Known as Samnaios in the Hellenistic era, Apollon was considered the leading god of the city. 

The city is surrounded by 1.8-meter-thick and 3.5-meter-high walls and towers. The city, whose most important surviving structure is a theater, was settled from the Hellenistic era until the Eastern Roman era.

The ancient city also has terraces where the coves around the area can be seen, together with the sunrise and sunset. 

Rental agreements from the second century B.C., which were unearthed during excavations in 1948 by Professor George Ewart Bean, show that Amos’ history dates back 2,200 years ago. 

The ancient city was declared a first-degree archaeological site on Oct. 14, 1978.