Turkish archaeologists to uncover 2,400-year-old theater at ancient city

Turkish archaeologists are preparing to reveal a 2,400-year-old theater at Alexandria Troas, located near the Ezine district of Canakkale.

The theater, believed to have seated 12,000 people, holds significant historical value, yet much of it remains buried.

Canakkale, a region known for its historical significance, is home to numerous ancient sites, including the legendary city of Troy.

Türkiye, with its position bridging Europe and Asia, has been a crossroads of civilizations for millennia, boasting a rich collection of archaeological treasures. The ancient Greek city Alexandria Troas site is just one example of the wealth of ancient history waiting to be uncovered.

Another ancient Greek amphitheater to be uncovered in Türkiye

Excavations at Alexandria Troas began on July 1 and will continue until the end of the year. Leading the 40-person team is Professor Erhan Oztepe from Ankara University. This effort is supported by Türkiye’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism, as well as local sponsors.

This year’s main focus has been on the forum, the city’s central area, but the team is now also directing efforts toward the theater, which sits around 200 meters from the forum.

Professor Oztepe emphasized the strategic placement and design of the theater, saying, “It’s built into a hillside, following the tradition of Greek theaters. We estimate its capacity to be around 10,000 to 12,000 seats.”

He explained that ancient Greek theaters often took advantage of the natural slope of a hill to place seating, and this theater likely follows that same model.

Construction likely began during the city’s early days, but Oztepe added that the theater may have undergone renovations under Roman Emperor Hadrian.

“Based on the wall techniques and other clues, we believe modifications were made during the Roman period, particularly under Hadrian’s rule,” he said. The excavation is ongoing, and more details are expected to emerge as work progresses.

Turkish archaeologists to expand Troy’s cultural landscape

The theater is part of a broader archaeological project to uncover the cultural spaces of the ancient city. A significant structure already found is the Odeon, a building used for musical performances and events.

According to Oztepe, inscriptions uncovered at the site provide valuable insight into the history of these events.

“We discovered a plaque indicating that a musician from Lesbos earned recognition here and was honored with a statue. While the statue has not been found, the inscription gives us a glimpse into how artists were celebrated,” he explained.

Oztepe also pointed out how the Alexandria Troas theater fits into the region’s rich theatrical history. “We know of theaters in other nearby cities like Troy, Parion and Assos, and this one in Alexandria Troas adds to that cultural landscape,” he said.

Historical drawings from the 17th and 18th centuries depict a few rows of seats, suggesting that portions of the theater were visible even in earlier times.

Despite the passage of centuries, which saw some of the theater’s materials repurposed by nearby villages, Oztepe remains hopeful about the upcoming excavations. “There’s a good chance that some original seating rows are still intact, especially at the lower levels. We will only know for sure once we begin further digging,” he remarked.

In the coming years, the team plans to uncover more of the theater, which will add another layer to the fascinating history of Alexandria Troas.