From July of 2008, we will showcase two headlines that take us to West Turkey and Ireland, where samples of ancient architecture and old cremated bones will shed light on inhabitants of the past.
West Turkey Reveals Two Ancient Piers
In July, it was reported that two piers hailing from 1st century AD have been located close to the western Turkish province of Aydin, where archeologists can now study the remains of the ancient city of Aphrodisias. This small city is part of Caria, Asia Minor and can be found on the map , located right next to modern village of Geyre, Turkey, which is around 230 kilometers from Izmir. The city was named after Aphrodite, the infamous Greek goddess of love.
According to the Oxford University professor heading the excavation of the ancient city, he told the public that the pieces are quite beautiful , two piers and a lovely arch. Unique features of the piers include decorations of a lion head situated between the heads of two bulls. In the past, the piers were part of a city that was constructed quite close to a marble quarry. During the Hellenistic and Roman periods, the resources were greatly utilized. For example, sculptors used the marble from Aphrodisias to make a name for themselves throughout Rome.
This is probably why a collection of statures have been found in Aphrodisias , some depicting the image of Aphrodite of Aphrodisias herself. Other representations of her image have also survived time positioned in various parts of the world.
Ireland Reveals Cremated Bones from 3,500 BC to 2,000 BC
This month, headlines alerted the public to the discovery of cremated bones uncovered by Creagh Concrete workers that were in the process of extracting gravel. Lucky for them , an archeologist is constantly within reach when this type of work goes on.
When the bones emerged, a team consisting of four archaeologists was called upon to analyze the mound of stones (called a ‘cairn’), which usually leads researchers to a burial site. After the site was excavated, the archeologists found two small cist burials. One was octagonal in shape and measured about 45 centimeters in diameter. The other was rectangular and measured close to 60 centimeters in length. Inside, both housed an assortment of cremated bones. A representative from the Northern Archaeological Consultancy expressed her hopes that the team would successfully come across chamber tombs (giants’ tombs) that had previously been found in the region.
Another feature of the site included postholes that surrounded the grave. All in all, it is believed that the site is from the Neolithic period and more will be revealed once the flint and pottery undergoes additional testing. A distinct history lives in the Lough Fea region, which is also home to the Beaghmore Stone Circles that date back to the early Bronze Age. Here, you will find what researchers believe is an example of one of the earliest sites of human settlement in Ireland.