Kaunos (Muğla)

This Carian city on the coast between Marmaris and Dalaman enjoyed a great expansion during the 4th century BC and continued to prosper in Roman times. Work at the site, mainly conservation and restoration, is led by Cengiz Işık of Akdeniz University.

2008

Excavations took place at the theatre where the exterior wall had caved in many years ago. The work was very difficult because the large blocks had all fallen on top of each other. Two and a half months was spent on the dangerous work of lifting them. Underneath, a monumental fountain building was revealed. It measures 10. 6 x 6.0 m and was located in an 11.8 m long niche in the theatre wall. A vaulted passage, part of the system bringing water to the fountain, was found. Five spouts in the fountain wall can still flow today.

Work continued at the salt facility as many questions are still to be answered about the layout of the facility and how it worked. This year electric and geophysical studies were undertaken and soundings made to clarify anomalies.

In the Domed Church work continued from last year in the South Chapel. A surprising find was a beautiful mosaic floor with crater motif, suggesting this was used as a baptistery. The floor has been covered with geotextile fabric and sand, and will eventually be covered with glass so that it can be viewed by visitors.

General cleaning, documentation and restoration work also continued, notably at the palaestra, market basilica and Demeter terrace.

2006

Excavations in the palaestra area identified three phases. In the 6th century BC a 4.9 m wide east-west street led to the necropolis. This was followed by a phase dated to the 2nd century BC. Finally, in the 1st century AD the area was filled to make a terrace. The expedition has restored the doorway to the palaestra, at the end of the street, to its Late Antique phase.

The facility for salt collection on the shore of Lake İztuzu was further investigated this year and fits Pliny's description of the process. The area was divided into collection basins, measuring about 35 x 50 m and cut into the bedrock. Channels 40 cm deep bring sea water into the basins, which have curved edges like large pans. The water evaporates, leaving the salt. The facility still functions today.

At the theatre a replica wooden door was fitted in the east tunnel and the proscenium was further studied. An experimental device, based on the periaktos (revolving device used to change scenes) described by Pliny, was built. Marble blocks 2 m in diameter with deep grooves and a square base at the middle had been found in situ. The device constructed was triangular and turned on the grooves.

2005

Work in 2005 included reconstruction of the fountain building at the Harbour Agora to its original form of the late 3rd century BC. Evidence of salt production attested in the customs regulations inscribed on this fountain may have been found near the site at the shore of Lake İztuzu.

2004

In 2004 work was undertaken at the Leto temple and temenos. Juniper wood was found but did not contain enough rings to provide a date. Votive finds included late 5th to early 4th century drinking cups. Work was also undertaken at a Corinthian temple with altar to Isis, and the Serapis temple. The original stylobate was restored. A number of rock cut tombs were also investigated.

Bibliography

Cengiz Işık, "Kaunos", Byzas 3 (2006) 159-166

Website

Reports on recent seasons can be found at
http://www.ttk.org.tr/index.php?Page=Sayfa&No=201 (2006)
www.ttk.org.tr/index.php?Page=Sayfa&No=290 (to 2008)