Excavation of ancient city of Tripolis begins

Archaeological excavations have begun at the site Tripolis - also known as Neapolis, Apollonia and Antoninopolis - an ancient city of Phrygia  on the northern bank of the upper course of the Maeander, and on the road leading from Sardes by Philadelphia to Laodicea ad Lycum.  

The ruins of ancient Tripolis in Denizli Province, Turkey [Credit: David Morgan/The Megalithic Portal]

The excavations will be supervised by the museum directorate in Denizli, according to the governor. Previous excavations in Tripolis were initiated in 1993, but they were interrupted for several reasons.

“Tripolis -- along with Laodicea and Hierapolis -- is one of the most important ancient cities in our region. A separate excavation is being carried out at Laodicea through the support of the Denizli Municipality,” said Denizli Governor Abdulkadir Demir, adding that the excavations will create sources of employment for many people in Denizli.  

Source: Today's Zaman [July 19, 2012]