Kalehöyük becomes open-air museum
KIRŞEHİR - Anadolu Agency
Kalehöyük, where the 5,000-year history of the Central Anatolian province of Kırşehir is being excavated, has almost become an open-air museum due to many findings from various civilizations.
Archaeological excavations have been continuing in the field, known as “castle,” in the city center since 2012.
This year, excavations began in September and reached the layer from the Iron Age, which was 12 meters underground.
Headed by Kırşehir Ahi Evran University (AEU) Archaeology Department academic Işık Adak Adıbelli, so far the excavations have unearthed remnants from the Ottoman, Seljuk, Byzantine, Roman, Hellenistic, Persian and Phrygian periods.
The findings unearthed in five different spots are being displayed in their original places.
The ruins of an Ottoman-era house, Seljuk-era ahi guilds, Byzantine-era glazed potteries, Roman-era glass bracelet pieces, Hellenistic-era beads, amphorae from the Persian and Phrygian eras and others make Kalehöyük look like an open air museum.
“We leave the remains in every layer. The top layer represents the Middle Age. Then there is the Hellenistic era. We leave the most characteristic remains in every layer so people can see them,” said Adıbelli.
He said they have dug 12 meters underground in the southern part.
“We are still finding remains from the late Iron Age. There are large garbage pits and rubble. We believe we will reach older eras as we dig deeper,” said the academic.
