A 2,000-year-old inscription honoring an ancient wrestler uncovered by archaeologists
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Reported by Artnet:
An inscription honoring the ancient wrestler Kaikilianos has been found in the ancient Turkish port city of Anemurium.
Anemurium is a 600 acres-wide archaeological district, close to the modern city of Anamur. The city dates back to the first century B.C.E when it was founded by the Phoenicians. Anemurium was inhabited consistently until the 7th century C.E as part of the Roman and then Byzantine Empires. The port city was a major settlement, complete with grand public baths, churches, and theaters.
Its position on the southern coast of Turkey made it an important city for trade in and out of Asia and Europe, across both of which Turkey has territory. Excavations have been undertaken in Anemurium since 2018 and the site is one of the region’s most popular tourist attractions.
The Governor of Mersin—the southern province of Turkey where Anemurium is located—Ali Hamza Pehlivan has called the city “not only crucial for Mersin but for our entire country,” adding that it “attracts attention and sheds light on human history.”
The excavations have been led by professor Mehmet Tekocak on behalf of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Selçuk University of Konya since 2018 as part of the “Heritage for the Future Project.” Archaeological work has been undergone at Anemurium uninterruptedly for the past 12 months. Four recent discoveries from Mersin sites have been added to the UNESCO list, and three more heritage sites—including Anemurium— are in the process of being proposed for UNESCO status.
The 13-line inscription about the wrestler, which was found complete and intact measuring 120 cm (47 inches) by 50 cm (19 inches) and weighing half a ton, is believed to be 2,000 years old. The condition of the inscription makes it the first discovery of its kind for the region. The stone was found in the Harbor Bath where last year a Roman period statue was found. Tekocak said “Just like last year, the Harbor Bath has provided us with significant discoveries.” The discovery suggests that the city was important as more than just a maritime trade centre.
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