Excavations Ended at Soli, Protection Needed

The excavations at the antique town of Soli Pompeipolis at the southern district of Mezitli, led by assistant professor Dr. Remzi Yagci from the Archeology Department of Mersin University, are completed.

Yagci, who talked about the findings at Soli Pompeipolis, said that the antique town is spread on a vast area. Yagci stressed that the area should be protected and said that they are worried that the graves could be looted after the excavation teams leave the region. Yagci wants the region to be declared a "museum town."

50 graves have been excavated Yagci said:

* We have completed the excavations at the antique town of Soli Pompeipolis. The excavations had started on July 1. After a month of excavations with a team of 50, we have found out that the antique town is spread on a vast area.

* During excavations, we have come across the remains of Hellenistic, Classic, Archaic, Iron Age, and Hittite Empire periods. We have excavated 50 graves. This area will be restored.

* The biggest problem we are faced with now is to protect the region and the pieces that have been excavated. We are worried that the graves and the whole region could be looted. The Mezitli Municipality is spending efforts to make Soli Pompeipolis be declared a museum town.(BB/EA/NM)