Finding the sacred place on Mount Latmos

AYDIN – Doğan News Agency

DHA Photo

Archaeologists have expressed excitement about the discovery about a site on the ancient Mount Latmos (Beşparmak) in the southwestern province of Muğla that is believed to have been used for religious purposes.

The head of the Association of Nature Lovers and the Protection of Ecosystems (EKODOSD), Bahattin Sürücü, said the discovery of the sacred place was very similar to a similar place nearby at Obelisk, which was dedicated to Zeus Agoraios. 

“During the works in the region, the processed stones used to establish boundary lines drew attention. Examinations around the stones revealed many findings. They were very similar to the sacred place of Obelisk, which was discovered by Dr. Anneliese Peschlow. Then we asked the same question, ‘Is this a second sacred area?’ Archaeologists will examine the new finding to answer this question. The surface surveys showed that there were many similar obelisks. The agricultural terraces used in the ancient ages and the rock tombs give us the idea that there was a settlement in the region,” said Sürücü.

Mount Latmos is famous for wall paintings that have been the subject of recent archaeological work led by the Aydın Culture and Natural Artifacts Protection Committee and Aydın Archaeology Museum.


Risk of potential mine pits at historical site

Sürücü also lamented recent attempts to open mines across the region despite the continual discovery of ancient historical site that provide a rich source of knowledge about the past for archaeologists.

“Besides the current mine pits in the virgin geography of Latmos, there are demands to open new ones. Even the registration of 172 inns, prehistoric rock paintings, monasteries, castles, defense structures, ancient roads and other findings in rock shelters has not been finished yet; we make new findings every other day,” Sürücü said.

“The works for registration and excavation will take dozens of years. Thus, this rich natural and cultural site should be protected, and no mining activity should be permitted there,” said Sürücü.