World-renowned archaeologists inspect excavations at Türkiye’s ancient city of Satala

The ancient city of Satala, the only Roman legion fortress in Anatolia that has survived from the Roman Empire’s eastern frontier, recently welcomed a group of world-renowned archaeologists.

The site, located in Sadak, in the Kelkit district, has been undergoing archaeological excavations for seven years. These ongoing efforts have revealed numerous historical structures and artifacts, shedding new light on Anatolian history.

Continued excavations of Satala unveil ancient treasures

The excavation project, supported by the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Gumushane Governorate, and Kelkit Municipality, is led by Elif Yavuz Cakmur and her team from Karadeniz Technical University’s Department of Archaeology.

The work focuses on the Necropolis and Castrum areas, with notable finds including 16 legionary graves and a surprising discovery of a female grave among them.

The importance of Satala was highlighted at the recent Roman Frontier Studies Congress held in Batumi, where 69 top archaeologists from 30 countries visited the site for firsthand inspection.

Upcoming exhibitions and tourism prospects

Gumushane AK Party MP Av. Celalettin Kose announced that restored Roman legionary armor, excavated from the region, will soon be exhibited in Gumushane. Kose emphasized the potential of Satala to become a major tourism destination due to its rich historical significance and the various civilizations it has hosted. He also mentioned plans to establish a museum in the area and improve local tourism offerings.

Elif Yavuz Cakmur, head of the Satala excavation, reported that the 2024 dig, which began on July 18, involved a team of 18, including international experts. The excavations in the Castrum and Necropolis have uncovered various artifacts, including a bronze object possibly related to furniture and column elements. One of the year’s highlights is the discovery of a female grave in a legionary cemetery, which will be further analyzed with upcoming anthropological studies.

Insights from international experts

Andreas Thiel, Director of the International Limes Congress and a representative from Baden-Wurttemberg’s Monument Authority, praised the excavation.

He noted the rarity and significance of finding such a well-preserved Roman legion site and expressed optimism about further discoveries at Satala. Thiel emphasized the potential for these findings to boost tourism and academic interest in the region.