Roman Road - Ankara, Turkey - Ancient Traces and Roads on Waymarking.com

Roman Road Excavations in the Front Garden of the Ankara Governorate Building

Excavations conducted by the Anatolian Civilisation Museum Directorate in the Old Ulus Town Bazaar district during 1995-1996 revealed that the Roman Road is extending towards the North, joining with the pillar avenue stretching from Roman Bath towards the Augustus Temple. These investigations produced further evidence that this avenue was most probably crossing through the front garden of the Ankara Governorate building, extending towards the North, where the Old Ulus Town Bazaar is located.

To further clarify the situation, a new excavation was launched by the Anatolian Civilisation Museum Directorate between 23 July 2007 and 21 September 2007 under the auspices of the Ankara Governor Mr. Kemal Ömal, to unearth the Roman Road in the front garden of the Ankara Governorate. Indeed the andesite (ankara stone) flooring of this avenue was in an area of approximately 57,5 m2 in a depth of 4,25m.

An infill layer of about 0.7 meter thickness belonging to late 19. Century and early 20. Century was determined just underneath the garden sol. This recent layer contained noteworthy object like china or porcelain pieces, and especially decorated clay mouthpieces (nozzles) for tobacco pipes, branded with the sign of workshop or the name of the skilled worker who produced them. Immediately underneath this layer, remains of athwart stone wall foundations from the Ottoman Era (15.-17. Century A.D.) and a row of drainage clay pipes running in east-west direction were revealed. At the same level, remnants of 3 contemporary clay-lined pit ovens ("tandir") were unearthed in the south east corner.

The floor level of Ottoman walls remains was reached at about -2.5m. Further down ceramic pieces known as Milet work and Rakka work (11.-14. Century A.D.) were documented. At a depth of -3.4 meter, a 1,5 meter long fragment of a marble pillar was discovered. Further down below, Bysantine sherds were registered, preceding Roman ceramics and several fragments of marble architecture at a depth of 4.15 m. Finally, at a depth of about -4.25 meter, archaeologists encountered the partly damaged andesite flooring of the Roman Avenue and some cornice and architrave pieces were found scattered on the floor. By way of conclusion, it could be verified that Roman Avenue remains are the extension of the Roman Road previously attested at Old Ulus Town Bazaar.

Source: Information table at site

Feature Discription: Current route is one of Ankara streets Web address for the route: [Web Link] Secondary Web Address: [Web Link] Beginning of the road: Roman Bath End of the road: Ankara Old Ulus Town Bazaar

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