“Secrets of the Colosseum’s Forgotten Rival: Ancient Gladiator Arena Revealed in Turkey”
DHA PhotosAnavarza’s ruins include evidence of churches, aqueducts, rock tombs, a theater, mosaics, and more.
According to The Daily Sabah, Anavarza is on UNESCO’s Temporary World Heritage List. With an ancient, oval-shaped theater complex that once held gladiatorial matches, the historical prestige is easy to see. Gülsen said his team is currently analyzing a throne made out of stone, which nobles likely occupied while the bloody battles ensued.
“We are analyzing how the amphitheater was planned and designed, how the gladiator fights took place, which animals were used and what type of necropolis the deceased were buried in, all of which will shed light on the period’s history,” Gülsen explained.
“[The stadium] has observation towers made of giant granite columns. Stadiums are the places where the world’s first Olympic Games were held,” said Gülsen. “The amphitheater, where we have not started digging yet, is located on a vaulted structure.”
“The rooms of gladiators and cells of wild animals like lions and tigers will definitely come to light during excavations. There are three examples of this in Anatolia. The best one among these three surviving examples is in Anavarza. When we find this structure, it will be the only example in Anatolia after the restorations.”
Gülsen believes this ancient city has much to offer visitors from around the world. While there’s likely much more to discover here, what has been revealed already represents a remarkable trove of artifacts that provide a window into what life was like here long, long ago.
After learning about the gladiatorial arena and ancient structures uncovered in Turkey, read about the lost Mayan “megalopolis” uncovered in the jungles of Guatemala. Then, learn about the ancient “city of giants” uncovered in Ethiopia that reveals the origins of Islam in the region.
