Ruins of temples found in ancient Amastris

Archaeologists have discovered ancient pillars and pillar bases believed to be from the sanctuary of Princess Amastris in Turkey's northern Bartın province, a report said Wednesday.

Credit: AA

The pillars were found during drilling launched by Amasra Museum Directorate in the Amasra district in the port town, a report by Demirören News Agency (DHA) said.

Based on the height of the pillars, which vary between five to six metres, the sanctuary's height was six or seven metres, experts said. Officials are expected to launch excavations in the area soon.

Deputy Museum Director Ahmet Çapkun told reporters that excavations will confirm the authenticity of the pillars and the sanctuary.

Credit: AA

Situated in the ancient region of Paphlagonia, the original city seems to have been called Sesamus (Greek: Σήσαμος), and it is mentioned by Homer.

Later Amastris, the niece of the last Persian king Darius III and former wife of Lysimachus, combined four small Ionian colonies, Sesamus, Cytorus, Cromna and Teion to form the new community named after her person.

During the Byzantine Era the acropolis was transformed into a fortress and the still surviving church was built. It formed part of the Empire of Trebizond following the Latin sack of Constantinople in 1204 and later came under the control of the Republic of Genoa. It was eventually conquered by the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II.

Source: Anadolu Agency [September 30, 2019]