Ancient city of Sebastapolis in Türkiye escapes earthquake damage

The ancient city of Sebastapolis in Tokat’s Sulusaray district was not damaged by the earthquakes

Following two earthquakes measuring 4.7 and 5.6, the Anadolu Agency deployed a drone to capture images of the ancient city of Sebastapolis in Tokat’s Sulusaray district.

It was determined that the ancient city was not damaged by the earthquakes.

The Tokat Museum Directorate started drilling excavations in 1986 to uncover the ancient city located under the Sulusaray district, 69 kilometers from the city center of Tokat. Rescue excavations continued in the following years.

The project, which was suspended in 1991, was resumed in 2013. Today, excavations in the ancient city are spearheaded by associate professor Akin Temur, an archaeologist from Ondokuz Mayis University’s Department of Archaeology.

Sebastapolis Ancient City

Some sources state that the ancient city was founded in the first century B.C.

It is stated that the ancient city, which was separated from the provinces of Pontus Galatius and Polemoniacus and included in the province of Cappadocia in 98-117 A.D during the reign of Roman Emperor Trajan, was one of the five largest cities of the Black Sea 2,000 years ago.

Once a flourishing city with the prestigious right to mint its own coins, a privilege reserved for few in its era, Sebastapolis eventually succumbed to the ravages of war, natural disasters, and shifting trade routes. Over time, the once-important city faded into obscurity.

Source: Newsroom5