Excavation works have been accelerated in the ancient city of Anavarza

Excavation works at the ancient city of Anavarza in the district of Kozan in Adana have been accelerated. The excavation works in the region aimed at introducing the Anavarza Ancient City, listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Temporary List, to world history, pharmacy, and cultural tourism have resumed. Adana Governor Yavuz Selim Köşger received information about the excavation works carried out in the ancient city. Governor Köşger stated that efforts will be made to include Anavarza Ancient City in the permanent heritage list and to promote the Medieval Castle in the ancient city.

Köşger stated, “Anavarza Ancient City is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Temporary List. If the excavations carried out so far had progressed faster, this city could have been on the permanent list. We have received information about the necessary work to be done and we will strive to do whatever is necessary for the excavations. The Ministry of Culture and Tourism has included the city in the list of places where excavations will be carried out for 12 months. Excavations will be conducted throughout the year. There are remnants indicating various periods from prehistoric times to the Middle Ages. As the Adana Governorship, we will do our best. One of the oldest excavations in the world has been ongoing for 132 years. Revealing an entire city is a long process.”

Governor Köşger drew attention to two important details in the ancient city, stating, “One of the important aspects here is the Medieval Castle, and the other is that it was the city where Dioscorides lived. In the collective memory of the people of Adana, there is the belief that Lokman the Wise lost his Book at the Misis Bridge and that Dioscorides conducted his studies on pharmacy, living in Anavarza. It is thought that there is a connection between these two historical pieces of information and the individuals who lived them. We aim to reveal this connection and promote Anavarza for tourism along with it.”

Kozan District Governor Bahattin Alp Arslanköylü, Kozan Mayor Mustafa Atlı, and Assistant Professor Fatih Erhan, the Head of Excavations at Anavarza Ancient City, participated in Governor Köşger’s examination.