16.04.2026 01:05
During excavation work on Knight Island in Muğla's Fethiye district, a rental contract dating back to the 2nd century BC and determined to belong to the Ancient City of Amos in Marmaris was found. The contract includes, in addition to annual rental fees, the obligation to plant 800 grapevines and 40 fig saplings for every 100 drachmas of rent. Additionally, the inscription details penalty clauses and compensation provisions reflecting the legal procedures of the period.
During excavation work on Knight Island in the Fethiye district of Muğla, a rental contract dating back to the 2nd century BC and determined to belong to the Ancient City of Amos in Marmaris was found.
EPIGRAPHIC ANALYSES REVEALED THE TRUTH According to a statement from the Marmaris Chamber of Commerce, one of the main sponsors of the work, the inscribed stele fragment found during work on Fethiye's Knight Island and taken under protection by the Fethiye Archaeology Museum Directorate was determined through epigraphic analysis to belong to the Ancient City of Amos. The artifact, inscribed on both sides and dated to 220-200 BC, was identified as a detailed land rental contract for the ancient city.
ADDITIONAL OBLIGATION TO PLANT SAPLINGS WITH THE RENT The information on the inscription provides striking details about the socio-economic structure of the ancient period. The contract stipulates, in addition to annual rental fees, an obligation to plant 800 vine and 40 fig saplings for every 100 drachmas of rent. Furthermore, agricultural instructions regarding planting depths, penal conditions reflecting the legal procedures of the period, and compensation provisions are detailed in the inscription.
Ancient City of Amos TRANSPORTED BY SHIP IN THE MIDDLE AGES An examination by the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage and Museums revealed that the artifact, originally located at the Sanctuary of Apollo Samnaios in Amos, was transported to Fethiye's Knight Island in the Middle Ages to be used as ballast (stability stones) on ships. The artifact, introduced to the scientific world by Prof. Dr. Fatih Onur, is kept under protection in the museum inventory.
"EXCAVATIONS CONTINUE FOR NEW FRAGMENTS" The statement noted that Excavation Director Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mehmet Gürbüzer and his team continue their work to uncover new fragments belonging to this contract group and thanked those who contributed.