What Is new in Ephesus

It is known that only 20 percent of Ephesus has been found so far in over 140 years. According to officials, excavations in Ephesus ancient site may continue for more than a few hundred years.

On the south east part of Ephesus archeologists found a mound in the middle of a very lush plain surrounded with orchards. Because of its location, they named it the Cukurici Hoyuk ( Mound in a pit). The first excavations at the mound began in 1995 but then put on hold. After a pause, in 1996 excavations re-started again. So far 5 different settlement layers on top of each other have been found at the Cukurici Hoyuk. All layers are dating to different periods of time. Items such as ceramic pieces, a weight used in weavers looms, a stone axe and heavily damaged foundation remains were found. These kind of new findings indicate that the history of Ephesus ancient city goes further back than estimated. Excavations in here enlightened the oldest settlement at Ephesus starting from 8200 BC.

Stone basements and mud-brick walls prove that there was a settlement here at the end of the 7th millennium BC. It is known that the people of Cukurici Hoyuk were not primitive, and had their way of civilisation looking at the findings such as ceramic cups and stone gadgets. There has been a continuous settlement until 2500 BC and in early Bronze Age. But during history Cukurici Hoyuk was abandoned two times because of the destruction and corruption caused by a reason which is still unknown. Many settlements were fatally destructed by earthquakes in Cukurici Hoyuk. But very small findings are enough to indicate that there is a very remarkable vivid efficiency in Cukurici Hoyuk. There are still bunch of questions waiting for the answers.

Group of experts from Austria has completed almost four month excavation work in the stadium area of Ephesus and found gladiators combat practice land and also a marble ladder carved in the mountain.

During the 1869 excavations around Ephesus, a pillar engraved with a cross and a bull had been discovered.

A Circular structure was found near the pillar during late excavations and according to archeologists this place appears to be heroon (temple-tomb for the heroes or a sanctuary). Bull is the symbol of Evangelist St. Lucas. Because of the bull carved in to the pillar, it is believed that a circular structure is the grave of St Luke.