Water to flow from 2,000-year-old fountain again

Water will flow again from a 2,000-year-old fountain unearthed during ongoing excavations in the ancient city of Kibyra, located near the town of Gölhisar in Burdur province.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Asst. Prof. Şükrü Özüdoğru, head of the excavation team and an academician at Mehmet Akif Ersoy University's Department of Archaeology, said excavations have been conducted since 2006.

Pointing out that they jump-started the excavation of the third terrace of the agora (market place) for the first time this year, Özüdoğru said they found a round fountain in the area. "This is really important to Kibyra since we had not unearthed a monumental fountain before," Özüdoğru said. "Along with this fountain, we learned where the city's water came from and how the architectural imagery and aesthetics were reflected in the agora. In particular, the agora's third terrace was the social and cultural heart of the city. We can say that the fountain was the most glamorous monument in the square."

Stressing that the fountain's conical roof supported by pillars stood as a unique structure for Kibyra due to its architectural features, Özüdoğru said the excavation of the fountain was completed this year.

"Hopefully, a restoration project will be prepared next year. In 2018, water running from the Böğrüdelik Plain, having met the water requirement of the city during ancient times, is to run through this new fountain structure," Özüdoğru said, suggesting that tourists visiting the city will be fully made aware of the fountain's architecture and function.

In the aftermath of a huge earthquake that hit the ancient city in 23 A.D. during the Roman period, Kibyra was re-planned and reconstructed, and the fountain was built after the earthquake, Özüdoğru told the reporters.

Mehmet Akif Ersoy University Rector Prof. Adem Korkmaz said this year's excavations in Kibyra would be completed in a week. Recalling that they unearthed a fountain for the first time during excavations conducted at a few sites this year, Korkmaz said the fountain was built up in different periods in accordance with population mobility in the area.

Suggesting that the fountain had another function in addition to providing water for the city, Korkmaz said: "It serves as a sprinkler, as what we call it today due to its function as a social location at the center of the city. People come to this place to spend time, like a market place."