Foundations of huge structure found at Didyma

Excavation works in the Temple of Apollo in the western province of Aydin�s Didim (Greek Didyma) district have unearthed the foundations of a giant structure, thought to have connections with the temple.

The foundations of a giant structure unearthed 
at Didyma [Credit: AA]

The works have been carried out by the German Halle Martin Luther University, the German Archaeology Institute and the Milet Museum Directorate.

Speaking about the works, head of the excavations Professor Helga Bumke stated the Temple of Apollo extended in to three different spots. �One of them is the excavation area in the garden of a school. The second is the area of an old church, which is currently a mosque, and the third is the area of a modern street passing through the temple,� she said.

She said that they were working in the garden of the mosque, and discovered a huge structure there.

�The new structure is two meters in width and most probably has a connection with the Temple of Apollo.

We can say that it is a temple because we see a very typical temple plan here. Actually, there is no single temple in a holy area. For example, there is more than one temple in Greek holy areas. We know it from the inscriptions. This structure is most probably an extension of the Temple of Apollo,� Bumke said.

Stating that they were excited about the new finding, Bumke said, �Because we now learn more about Didyma, especially the ancient information that overlaps with today�s findings. Didyma will become richer in terms of artifacts.�

She said the work would end this weekend.

Source: Hurriyet Daily News [August 27, 2015]