Ancient theater found under school in Turkey's Antalya

ANTALYA

During official archaeological excavations that have been secretly carried out in the southern province of Antalya’s Kaleiçi, an ancient Roman theater has been discovered under a school. 

The ancient theater, which was built in the Hellenistic era and extended in the Roman era, was found under the Antalya Technical School for Girls. The school building may be demolished to unearth the theater, daily Hürriyet reported.

So far, the excavations carried out by the Antalya Museum have reached the stairs of the ancient theater. Now they are expected to clarify their historical findings in order for a decision to be made on the demolition of the building. 

“Excavations have been ongoing in the area but we are unable to give clear information right now. We will inform the public based on the result of the excavations,” said Antalya Museum Director Mustafa Demirel, who verified information about the excavation work in Kaleiçi.

It has great significance

“Coincidentally, we have found the ruins in two different fields. Our research has shown there was a big Roman-era theater in this region. This structure has great significance in providing us information about the ancient era,” according to the information provided by Akdeniz University Archaeology Department Professor Burhan Varkıvanç.

“We believe the other fields in this area should be expropriated and the excavations should start there. If we receive funding and the other ruins are uncovered, it will be a very important excavation in the name of history and tourism. We estimate the theater here was built in the Hellenistic era and extended in the Roman era,” said Varkıvanç, adding that they think the area served as a city center and a cultural field.

Akdeniz University Archaeology Department Professor Nevzat Çevik said the discovery made them very excited. 

“We are very curious about the further details the excavations will shed light on. To find a theater there shows it was a central field. This is an important finding about ancient times. The school should be demolished as soon as possible and the city there should come to light,” Çevik said.