EXCAVATIONS OF KEMER IDYROS ANCIENT CITY

The ancient city of Idyros is located in the Kemer district of Antalya province.

The first archaeological studies in Idyros were carried out under the supervision of the Antalya Museum between 1976 and 1977. These studies primarily focused on the mosaic church. The second phase of excavations began in 2017 under the direction of the Antalya Museum, with scientific consultancy provided by Assoc. Dr. Hakan Öniz and Asst. Assoc. Dr. Murat Karademir. Based on limited ancient sources, the city is believed to have been a maritime settlement.

Findings in the city include a Greek-cross-planned mosaic church dating back to the 4th century AD, a necropolis area with amphora tombs, and a Roman bridge pillar. The amphora tombs in the necropolis are among the rarest tomb types in the world. Similar tomb types, dating back to the 7th–4th centuries BC, have been found in Balıkesir and İzmir, Türkiye. However, the tombs in the Idyros Ancient City are dated between the 1st and 3rd centuries AD, with comparable examples found in Italy, Spain, and North Africa. Other structures, likely used for social and commercial purposes, are located around the church. Excavations continue to determine the functions of these structures.

Ceramic remains from the 5th–4th centuries BC were discovered during excavations led by T. Özoral between 1976 and 1977. Based on these finds, it is known that the history of the Idyros Ancient City dates back to the Hellenistic period. However, most of the finds unearthed so far belong to the Roman and Byzantine periods.