Excavations in Ancient Adada Reveal 17 Centuries of Uninterrupted Life
Archaeological excavations in the ancient city of Adada, located in the Sütçüler district of Isparta, Turkey, have uncovered evidence of continuous habitation spanning nearly 1,700 years. Conducted under the Culture and Tourism Ministry’s Heritage for the Future Project, the digs highlight the city's strategic importance in the Pisidia region. Associate Professor Ahmet Mörel, head of the excavation team from Süleyman Demirel University, noted that Adada represents a rare example of uninterrupted occupation from the Hellenistic period through Late Antiquity. Unlike other settlements along the Roman military road Via Sebaste, Adada developed along an independent route that intersected with paths used by Saint Paul, making it a significant cultural crossroads. Recent findings include architectural remains indicating shifts in belief systems, such as catechumenate training areas, and public buildings constructed by council decrees, demonstrating a sophisticated local administrative system. The site, with its largely standing monumental structures, is deemed valuable for both scientific research and cultural tourism. The project, which intensified in 2021 and expanded in 2024, continues to shed light on Anatolian history and the city's role within ancient transportation networks.
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Excavations in Ancient Adada Reveal 17 Centuries of Uninterrupted Life
Archaeological excavations in the ancient city of Adada, located in the Sütçüler district of Isparta, Turkey, have uncovered evidence of continuous habitation spanning nearly 1,700 years. Conducted under the Culture and Tourism Ministry’s Heritage for the Future Project, the digs highlight the city's strategic importance in the Pisidia region. Associate Professor Ahmet Mörel, head of the excavation team from Süleyman Demirel University, noted that Adada represents a rare example of uninterrupted occupation from the Hellenistic period through Late Antiquity. Unlike other settlements along the Roman military road Via Sebaste, Adada developed along an independent route that intersected with paths used by Saint Paul, making it a significant cultural crossroads. Recent findings include architectural remains indicating shifts in belief systems, such as catechumenate training areas, and public buildings constructed by council decrees, demonstrating a sophisticated local administrative system. The site, with its largely standing monumental structures, is deemed valuable for both scientific research and cultural tourism. The project, which intensified in 2021 and expanded in 2024, continues to shed light on Anatolian history and the city's role within ancient transportation networks.
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