Only ancient city in the Black Sea now faces risk of construction

* Photos: Culture Portal of Turkey

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Located in Zonguldak's Çaycuma, Tios is the only ancient city in the Black Sea region of Turkey without a modern city constructed on top of it. However, the natural site grade of its 56-decare area, which is full of historical artefacts, has been reduced from Grade 1 to Grade 3.

In other words, the 56-decare of Tios' 62-decare area owned by the Treasury can now be used for construction.

As reported by Yusuf Demir from daily Sözcü, the related decision of the Cultural Heritage Conservation Board downgrading the natural site from Grade 1 to Grade 3 has indicated that 101 wells have been drilled in the area and that the artefacts from the Roman times are movable.

There has remained no obstacle to remove the historical artefacts such as tombs, sarcophaguses and brick tombs.

'It will destroy Black Sea's history'

Archeologist Prof. Sümer Atasoy, who led the excavation works in the Tios ancient city in Filyos Harbor for years, has criticized the decision taken for the 2,700-year-old ancient city. Noting that the foundation of Tios dates back to the 7th century BC, Atasoy has briefly said:

Tios ancient city is the only ancient city of Turkey's Black Sea coast without a modern city constructed on top of it and which has been excavated. This is a decision that will destroy the history of the Black Sea.

Allegation: Houses will be constructed

As indicated by Atasoy, there are some allegations that houses will be constructed in the area in question. The archeologist has raised concerns that in the event of such construction efforts, it is highly likely that historical artefacts, temples and tombs will be encountered.

Erdoğan opened the harbor

The Filyos Harbor, right next to the 2,700-year-old ancient city of Tios in Zonguldak's Çaycuma, was opened by ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan last month.

About the Ancient City of Tios

The history of the Ancient City of Tios in today's Zonguldak dates back to the 7th century BC. In the Roman era, it was demolished and plundered in 70 BC. It was rebuilt as a commercial and fishing city. In the Byzantine period, it became an important religious center in the 5th century AD. It gradually lost its importance during the Seljuk and Ottoman periods (in the 14th, 15th centuries) and turned into a small fishing village.

Today, the Filyos Town is located in the area; over the ground where once Tios was located is to be seen a castle from the Roman, Byzantine and Medieval eras, city walls on the coast, an aqueduct, vaulted gallery, theater, defense towers and various tombs.

The research and excavation in Tios is of considerable importance for the history and archeology of the Black Sea in that it is the first and only ancient city to be excavated on Turkey's Black Sea coast. The information and data to be collected here is also important. It is considered that there is a huge city with its roads, square, hamam, religious structures, houses, warehouses, shops and tombs right under the ground. (TP/SD)