Ancient Lycian Rhodiapolis in Türkiye set for excavation revival

Excavation work at the ancient Lycian city of Rhodiapolis in Antalya’s Kumluca district in southern Türkiye is expected to resume next year after a hiatus, according to local officials and archaeologists.

Kumluca District Governor Bahadır Güneş visited the ancient city with a delegation. Excavations at the site began in 2006 but were later suspended.

Güneş described Rhodiapolis as “Kumluca’s window into history,” saying much of the ancient city has already been uncovered through archaeological work.

He said the planned resumption of excavations would be significant for the district and its efforts to highlight its historical heritage.

Beste Tomay, a faculty member in the Archaeology Department at Adıyaman University’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences and an adviser to the excavation project, said Rhodiapolis holds an important place among the ancient cities of Lycia because of its historical and cultural significance.

Tomay said preparations are being carried out this year ahead of the planned resumption of excavation work next year.

“This year, we are conducting field surveys and work related to previous excavations and the inventory of materials in storage,” Tomay said. “Starting next year, we will resume excavation work under the coordination of the excavation leadership.”

The ancient city contains archaeological remains from the Lycian and Byzantine periods, including a theater, baths, an agora, temples, a church, cisterns and monumental tombs.

Tomay said she believes fully uncovering Rhodiapolis will make a significant contribution to Kumluca’s historical and cultural profile.