A 2,250-year-old sewage system has been discovered in the ancient city of Stratonikeia.

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During the excavation works carried out in the ancient city of Stratonikeia in the Yatağan district of Muğla, a sewage system approximately 2,250 years old was discovered.

CITY OF GLADIATORS

Listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Temporary List, Stratonikeia, known as the "City of Gladiators," is also considered one of the largest marble cities in the world. Excavation works that began in 1977 continue. In this ancient city, which holds significance for the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine periods, as well as the Anatolian principalities, the Ottoman Empire, and the Republic era, valuable artifacts are being unearthed during excavations that last 12 months a year.

Prof. Dr. Bilal Söğüt, the head of the Stratonikeia excavation team, told AA correspondent that Stratonikeia, one of the most important cities in the Karia region, is a settlement of the indigenous people of Anatolia, the Carians and Leleges. He stated that excavation, conservation, and restoration works are ongoing in many areas, including the theater of the ancient city, and noted that there are settlements from the Classical, Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine periods in this area.

"WATER STILL FLOWS ON ITS OWN AFTER 2,250 YEARS"

Expressing that the uncovering of many structures in the ongoing works has brought history to life, Söğüt said, "They built a sewage system large enough to walk in under the theater in the arrangements made here 2,250 years ago. They drained the water from the theater. The water still flows on its own even after 2,250 years. That’s why we are incredibly happy."

Söğüt stated that the findings related to urbanism, settlement, and traces of life in the historical area excite them, and he added: "In our 2019 works, we found the sewage system on the north street starting from the north city gate, on the west street, in the Roman bath, and in the library. All of these connect to the streets. After merging on these streets, the sewage system directs towards the stream. It discharges into the city without causing any disturbance. In our latest works, we found the upper channel system of the theater. We had been researching the lower channel for a long time. Meanwhile, we also conducted intensive work under the Future Heritage Project. We thought we had reached the end of the channel, but when it rained, we found that the sewage system was still functioning. The water collected in all the cavea (seating areas) of the theater comes from the sewage system, and it continues to function as if it were built today."