Antiochia ad Cragum Excavations

Location: Nohutyeri Mevkii,, Güneyköy, 07900 Gazipaşa/Antalya, Turkey

Season: June 15, 2024 to August 13, 2024

Session Dates: Session I June 15 — July 12; Session II Saturday, July 14 — August 13

Application Deadline: March 1, 2024

Deadline Type: Exact Date

Website: http://Antiochiacragum.org

Program Type:
Field School, Volunteer

RPA Certified:
No

Affiliation:
University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Project Director:
Michael Hoff, Project Director; Rhys Townsend, Clark University, Co-Director; Ece Erdogmus, Georgia Tech, Co-Director; Birol Can, Usak University, Co-Director; Tim Howe, St. Olaf College, Co-Director; Asena Kizilarslanoglu, Kastamonu University, co-Director

Project Description:

The Antiochia ad Cragum Archaeological Research Project (ACARP) announces its 12th archaeological field school for the summer of 2023.  The Roman–era city of Antiochia ad Cragum is located on the south-central coast of Turkey in ancient Rough Cilicia, roughly north of Cyprus.

Historically the site of Antiochia ad Cragum with its harbor possibly served as one of the havens for the famed Cilician pirates who operated from these shores and preyed upon shipping and coastal communities of the eastern Mediterranean during the first half of the first century BC.  The Roman general Pompey ended the pirate scourge in 67 BC with a naval victory at nearby Korakesion (Alanya).  No traces of Antiochia’s pirate past survive among the remains visible today.  The emperor Caligula ceded control of Rough Cilicia to a client-king of Rome, Antiochos IV of Commagene, for a brief period in AD 38 before summarily deposing him; Antiochus was then restored to power in AD 41 by Claudius.  He ruled continuously until AD 72, during which period he founded the city named after himself.  After his removal by Vespasian in 72, the city, along with the rest of Rough Cilicia, fell under direct Roman rule as part of the enlarged Province of Cilicia.  The city appears to have reached its greatest extent during the later Roman Empire, from the third century on.  It is this period that the current excavations are exploring.

The ancient city of Antiochia ad Cragum was constructed on primarily sloping ground that descends from the Taurus mountain range down to the sea.  It is magnificently situated several hundred meters above sea level, protected on several sides by cliffs and steep slopes that plummet to the sea below.  The portion of the site where ancient architecture is still preserved within the modern confines of the village of Güney occupies a large territory, over 75 acres in area.  ACARP represents the first systematic excavation and study of this site.

Field School

Field school participants will be introduced to the basics of field archaeology.  They will learn proper excavation techniques, archaeological survey, principles of field conservation, record keeping, site management, and archaeological surveying. Opportunities for field trips to nearby archaeological sites, such as Selinus, Lamos, Perge, Anamur, Alanya and the Alanya Museum will be arranged.

• Excavation. There will be several areas under excavation.
• Great Bath.  With the bath’s frigidarium and tepidarium have been largely revealed, we have begun clearing the caldarium.  During the course of excavation we uncovered evidence how the structure had been re-purposed after its original bathing function had stopped working; in this case, several well-preserved ceramic kilns were found, dating after the structure ceased to function as a bath. Also, remains of the original hypocaust system were uncovered. In 2024 we will continue working in the caldarium, revealing more of the late Roman workshop facilities as well as the original bathing systems. The architecture reveals the presence of a nymphaeum and we intend to clear this area as well.
• Bouleuterion. Over the course of four seasons we have uncovered approximately 95% of the civic bouleuterion that also served as an odeion and possibly a small theatre. In 2024 we will continue exploring the exterior of the wall, with an intent to define the entry point into the structure. We also will continue to explore the area between the Bath and Bouleterion where in 2018 we discovered a well-preserved latrine with a mosaic pavement with mythological figures.
• Small Bath. A second bath structure lays outside the walls of the ancient city, along the road that enters the ancient city. We began excavating this bath in 2018, discovering in one chamber a 17th century coin hoard, several late Roman skeletons, apparently killed violently, and mosaics with mainly geometric designs. Since then we have continued to reveal other chambers with mosaics and human remains. We anticipate the 2024 season will perhaps offer a similar assemblage as we continue clearing the chambers.
• In 2024 we will continue excavating the Colonnaded Street which served as the Market for the city, and where we are exploring the shops.
• Acropolis. For the past several seasons, we have been exploring the north slope of the Acropolis where domestic structure are located.
• Late Roman Villa. Just flanking the Colonnaded Street to the south are the remains of a late Roman Villa that contains many rooms, several of which contain mosaics.
• Two new structures will be opened up in 2024: the Civic Basilica, located just outside the Main Gate of the city. The preserved architecture suggests a two-aisled basilica with a central apse. Also, a large basilica-style church located on the approach road leading from the east towards the Main Gate will also begin to be explored.

Typical Work-week and Meals

The excavation runs on a Monday-Friday schedule.  Typically, we depart for the site at 5:30 AM and enjoy a group breakfast at the site. Work begins at 6:30 and continues until 1 PM.  There is mid-morning tea break at 10:00.  Lunch is served at 1:00, also at the site.  Post-lunch activities usually involve ceramics cleaning and sorting, and report writing.  At least once a week there is an organized swimming event to the nearby “private cove.”  Dinners are provided in the Gazipaşan excavation house at approximately 7:00 PM.  All meals are typical Turkish fare with an accent on fresh and homemade foods.  No meals are provided on Sundays. Excursions to nearby sites or museums will occur during the weekends. These sites include Selinus, Anemurium, Perge, Aspendos, Side, Alanya, and Lamos. We also have a lecture series with lectures in our auditorium by project members and sometimes guest lecturers.

Period(s) of Occupation: Roman; Late Roman; Byzantine (1st c. CE — 8th c. CE)

Notes:
The excavation is noted for the number of mosaics found in the various buildings. Expectations are high that additional mosaics will be uncovered in 2024.

Project Size: 25-49 participants

Minimum Length of Stay for Volunteers: 2 weeks

Minimum Age: 17

Experience Required: none

Room and Board Arrangements:
We will be staying in the city of Gazipaşa (22 km from the site), a modest-size community, with a population of approximately 35,000 people.  For accommodations we reside in the dormitory of a local high school for tourism students. Attached to the dormitory is a modest hotel which the staff will occupy. The dormitory/hotel complex is within easy walking distance of bothtown center and the beach. Each room in the dormitory will have 4-6 beds and individual wardrobes for each occupant. The rooms are fully air conditioned and have en-suite bathrooms and showers. There are washing machines available and wifi throughout the building. The attached hotel offers single rooms at a supplemental cost (in 2023 that supplement was $12 per night). This single supplement rate is not guaranteed as of October 2023. Breakfasts and lunches are offered at our depot and headquarters at the site. Dinners are offered in the excavation house. The project has four cooks on staff. Cost: $2900 per session for students; $3250 for non-student volunteers Costs include: • Shuttle transportation to and from local Gazipasa airport • Residence in Project Excavation House near the city center of Gazipaşa. Dormitory-style rooms (up to six people per room). Single supplements available. • All meals (except Saturday breakfast, and all day Sunday) • Round trip transportation between Excavation House and the archaeological site • Instruction in archaeological field techniques; ceramics studies; basic surveying skills; basics conservation training • Excursions to local archaeological sites • Medical insurance (through the University of Nebraska)

Academic Credit:
3 credit hours through the University of Nebraska credits offered by University of Nebraska. Tuition is • Undergraduate–$259.00/credit hour, resident; $830/credit hour, non-resident (tuition only) • Graduate–332.00/ credit hour, resident; $996/credit hour, non-resident (tuition only) .