Kaletepe inscription unveils hellenistic trade secrets in Türkiye’s Mugla

A significant discovery in Bozburun, a district of Marmaris in Mugla, has revealed that the area was an active trade center during the Hellenistic period.

Volkan Demirciler, an academic at Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University and Head of Archaeological Surface Research, along with his team, unearthed the “Kaletepe Inscription,” shedding light on the region’s historical and economic structure.

Kaletepe inscription: Testament to trade hub

According to Volkan Demirciler, the inscription, which had not previously been included in any scientific publication, was discovered within the Tepebasi area of Bozburun.

The meticulously researched inscription on the slopes of Kaletepe documents financial contributions made by eight individuals from various cities in Anatolia for an unknown purpose, offering valuable insights into the trade and social relationships of the Hellenistic period.

Karya Khersonesos, Rhodian Peraea: Significance of Bozburun peninsula

The Bozburun Peninsula, known in antiquity as “Karya Khersonesos” or “Rhodian Peraea,” has yielded rare finds that provide new information about the region’s political and socioeconomic conditions.

These inscriptions highlight the historical importance and commercial strength of the area.

Detailed research since 2021

Since 2021, Demirciler and his team have been conducting detailed archaeological surface research across the Bozburun Peninsula.

Their work involves cataloging the region’s archaeological inventory, examining settlement patterns, ancient agricultural terraces, hydrological potential and the settlement-agriculture relationship.

They also track and document new archaeological sites.

2300 years of settlement, organization

The Bozburun Peninsula has been identified as a region where villages coalesced into urban-scale organizations at least 2300 years ago.

This indicated the area’s historical significance as a significant settlement center and underscored the need for further in-depth study of its historical traces.

The discovery of the Kaletepe Inscription has once again highlighted the historical richness of the Bozburun Peninsula.

This finding will contribute to a better understanding of the region’s economic and social structure in antiquity and serve as an essential reference point for future research.