A remarkably well-preserved bathhouse from the early Ottoman period, distinguished by its underfloor heating system and an inscribed architectural fragment was found in excavations at the ancient city of Assos. The discovery, which sheds new light on early Ottoman architecture and engineering, was reported by Anadolu Ajansı.
“This bathhouse is significant because it is an example that allows a very good understanding of all these technical issues such as underfloor heating systems, and the use of water,” explained Professor Nurettin Arslan, head of the Assos Ancient City excavation team, as reported by Sozcu.
During the excavations, a marble piece used in the floor of the changing room in the bathhouse was found contain an inscription dated to 480 CE, coinciding with the reign of Emperor Zeno, according to Yeni Şafak. The inscription includes extensive information on taxation and financial management, judicial practices, urban and rural regulations, land ownership, and management.
“The analysis process of this inscription continues. When it is finished, what is described here will be introduced to the scientific world,” Arslan said, as per NTV.
Assos, located within the borders of Behramkale village in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, encompasses an area including the summit and slopes of a volcanic hill and was established opposite Greece’s Lesbos Island. The city, known in ancient times as Troas, hosted many civilizations over the centuries and is a popular destination for local tourists during the summer.
Excavations at the ancient city of Assos were first conducted by American archaeologists in the 1800s and resumed in 1981 after a long hiatus, according to T24. For the past 44 years, Turkish archaeologists have been conducting excavations in the Assos region.
The article was written with the assistance of a news analysis system.
This article was originally published at www.jpost.com
