Ancient City Of Prusias ad Hypium And Ruins Of City’s Theater Known As ’40 Steps’
Conny Waters - AncientPages.com - In the ancient city of Prusias ad Hypium in Düzce, which is believed to be the oldest settlement of the western Black Sea region, excavation work has been extended to 12 months and archaeologists are excited to unearth many artifacts every other day in the region.
Ruins of the ancient city of Prusias ad Hypium. credit: Düzce University/Hurriyet Daily News
Excavations have been ongoing in the ancient city’s theater, publicly known as “40 steps,” in Konuralp district, however, the theater is only a small part of the very big city, according to Düzce University Archaeology Department academic associate professor Emre Okan.
Okan said to Anadolu Agency, that the city spread over a wide area, and that the region joined the kingdom in the time of King Prithias of Bithynia in the Hellenistic period, and had its brightest time in the 2nd century B.C. during the Roman Empire, writes Hurriyet Daily News.
The theater that is the only magnificent building left from the ancient city, was used until the end of the 4th century.
“This is actually the only building that shows us the full splendor of the ancient city. The importance of the city comes from here. All kinds of excavations and works carried out here are important in terms of showing us the functions of both the theater and the stage after the use of the theater,” Okan explained.
“Based on the findings we have obtained after the 4th century, we think of this place as a workshop area, a business area, an industrial site. We have some findings that it was used that way. Excavations will not only be in the theater.
Ancient ruins of the city of Prusias ad Hypium that is believed to be the oldest settlement of the western Black Sea region. Image source: Daily Sabah
The ancient city of Prusias ad Hypium, which is called the Ephesus of the Western Black Sea, has shed light on the history of the region. Located in the northwestern province of Düzce, Prusias ad Hypium is home to structures like an ancient theater, aqueducts and a Roman bridge.
See also: More Archaeology News
Known as 40 Basamaklar by locals, the 100-meter-long and 74-meter-wide ancient theater’s semicircle sitting field, steps decorated with lion claw figures, vaulted passages and stage are still intact. Prusias ad Hypium-s excavations already uncovered 6,082 pieces, including 1,789 archaeological and 456 ethnographic artifacts and 3,837 coins.
The region is a city involved in Black Sea trade through its rivers, Okan said.
“We are digging a huge architecture. Even the smallest finds that will emerge from the architecture are enough for an archaeologist to be excited and happy. We see the architecture, but these finds give us details about the architecture.
"The smallest coin to be unearthed makes us to date a layer. A piece of ceramic or a small wall gives us the information in the residential area here. It helps us understand the function of this place. That’s why every find is very precious for us. Therefore, we, as archaeologists, do not distinguish between large or small finds, we cannot. Everything is valuable to us.”
Written by Conny Waters - AncientPages.com Staff Writer
More From Ancient Pages
-
Curious Ritual Wooden Stool Of Ancient Taino People
Ancient Traditions And Customs | Sep 12, 2017 -
Kantyua And Tantyua – Sacred Tibetan Books Reveal Incredible Lifespan Of The Gods
Artifacts | Mar 18, 2019 -
Cooper’s Ferry Site In Western Idaho Was Inhabited 16,000 Years Ago
Archaeology | Sep 3, 2019 -
Dighton Rock – Centuries-Old-Mystery Still Unsolved
Ancient Places | Sep 8, 2015 -
Our Lives Have Always Been Manipulated By Money – Part 2
Featured Stories | Apr 4, 2016 -
Controversial Discovery Of Rama’s Bridge – A 1,700,000 Year Old Man-Made Structure
Ancient Places | Jun 19, 2014 -
Ancient Mystery Of The American Southwest – Unusual Skeletons And Mummies – Part 2
Ancient Places | Jul 24, 2018 -
6,000-Year-Old Bizarre, Mouthless ‘Alien’ Mask Unearthed In “The Salt Pit” Settlement In Northeast Bulgaria
Archaeology | Nov 20, 2020 -
Biblical Mysteries – Foods And Drinks That Gave Extraordinary Powers, Knowledge And Immortality
Biblical Mysteries | Mar 22, 2017 -
Ten Inscriptions Related To Sargon Unearthed At Ancient Assyrian Site In Iraq’s Kurdistan Region
Archaeology | Jan 20, 2020 -
Sleipnir: Eight-Legged Horse With Supernatural Strength That Belonged To God Odin
Featured Stories | Mar 21, 2017 -
Ravana: Ten-Headed And Multi-Armed Demon King Of Lanka And Chief Antagonist In Epic Ramayana
Featured Stories | Oct 8, 2019 -
World-Famous Temple Of Bel In Palmyra, Syria – Digitally Reconstructed
Ancient Places | Aug 22, 2020 -
Impressive Column Of Emperor Marcus Aurelius – War Monument From Ancient Rome
Ancient Places | Jul 6, 2017 -
DNA Shows First Scandinavians Followed Two Distinct Migration Routes
Archaeology | Jan 11, 2018 -
Trajan’s Market Was The World’s First Known Shopping Mall
Ancient History Facts | Jul 2, 2016 -
Lady Midday – ‘Poludnica’- An Evil, Elusive Female Field-Spirit In Slavic Beliefs That Comes To Kill At Noon
Featured Stories | Jan 7, 2019 -
Gods’ Creation Of Five Different Human Races – Ages Of Man On The Earth And The End Of The World
Featured Stories | Jan 26, 2018 -
On This Day In History: Bishop of Gloucester John Hooper is Burned At The Stake For Heresy- On Feb 9, 1654
News | Feb 9, 2017 -
First Human Culture Lasted 20,000 Years Longer Than Thought – New Study
Archaeology | Jan 11, 2021