Ancient Soli Pompeiopolis site eyes UNESCO list

The ancient site of Soli Pompeiopolis, located in the southeastern Turkish province of Mersin’s Mezitli district, has eyes on the UNESCO World Heritage List with its history carrying the traces of many civilizations from the Neolithic, Hellenistic and Roman periods, according to the excavation project’s leaders.

Ancient Soli Pompeiopolis in southern Turkey vying for place
on UNESCO list [Credit: DHA]

The 17th round of excavation work at the site, carried out by a team led by Professor Remzi Yagci from Izmir’s Dokuz Eylul University, has produced one of the most important archaeological treasures in the history of Cilicia.

“We will offer the treasure under the earth, these historical sites forming the heritage of humanity, to our people’s service. Here lies the history of Mersin. Soli will soon become a city of tourism. Our expectation is that in five years the site will become a city museum, and enter the UNESCO World Heritage List,” he said.

Yagci noted the ancient site would never lose its charm, as it has produced hundreds of glorious historical artifacts from 3,000 years before the modern day.

The artifacts unearthed so far at the site include statues of gods, streets lined by columns with busts of emperors and senior managers, a theater and a Roman bath, as well as the city’s harbor and aqueduct. Mezitli Mayor Neset Tarhan from the Republican People’s Party (CHP), who supports the excavation works in the region, said the findings at the site thrilled them.

“Soli Pompeiopolis has the potential to gain a seat in the tourism of Turkey... Soli Pompeipolis will become a door opening to the world, not only to Mersin city,” he said.

Source: Hurriyet Daily News [July 30, 2015]