Ancient Soli Pompeiopolis Site Gains Ground Towards Unesco

- The ancient site of Soli Pompeiopolis located in the southeastern province city of Mersin’s Mezitli district have eyes on the UNESCO world heritage list with its history carrying the traces of many civilizations including Neolithic, Helenistic and Roman eras, according to excavation project’s leaders.

The 17th excavation works have been carried out by a team led by Professor Remzi Yağcı from Dokuz Eylul University, offering one of the most important archaeological treasures of history of Cilicia.

Having noted that the ancient site will never lose its charm as it introduces hundreds of glorious historical artefacts 3,000s years before modern-day, Yağcı said “We will offer the treasure under 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.

The unearthed artefacts include ruins of sculptures of gods, streets with columns placing busts of emperors and senior managers, a theatre, a Roman Turkish bath, also the harbour and aqueduct of the city. Mayor of Mezitli from CHP (Republican People’s Party) Neşet Tarhan, who supports the excavation works in the region commented that the unearthed findings thrill them and added “Soli Pompeiopolis has the potential to gain a seat in the tourism of Turkey, a tourist raid is potential. Soli Pompeipolis will become a door opening to the world, not only to Mersin city.

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