An ancient city dating back 2,000 years, which was underwater for several decades, has resurfaced as a major archaeological discovery in present-day Turkey. This place, known as Iuliopolis, was under the waters of the Saryar Dam reservoir for almost seven decades since the middle of the last century. Modern excavations conducted from 2009 to 2025 revealed that Iuliopolis was much more than just a small settlement.The ancient city is located about 123 km from the capital of Ankara, which initially existed during the time of the Romans, and later flourished throughout the Byzantine era.

Discoveries of submerged ancient city reshape historical understanding

Evidence from research,”Juliopolis Anthropological Research: Initial Results“, archaeologists from Karabuk University and the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations suggest that there may be reason to reconsider some initial assumptions about the importance of this city. It became clear that Iuliopolis had organized religious structures, planned urbanization, and an economy based on production and trade.Some of the objects found in this area are ceramics and storage vessels, as well as tools used by ancient people. One of these is African Red Slip Ware, which shows the city’s connection through trade with far-flung areas, particularly Roman traders active throughout the Mediterranean.

Archaeological evidence shows a strong economic and religious system

The first notable discovery is that of a larder containing large pottery vessels, which were used to store agricultural products such as grain, wine and olive oil. Some of these vessels bear religious markings, indicating that there was interaction, perhaps through church institutions, between economy and religion.These findings came in the researchJuliopolis Anthropological Research: Initial Results”, published in Ankara Studies Journal.All these points point to the conclusion that Iuliopolis functioned as an efficiently planned urban center rather than a frontier city.

The ancient city remained safe for decades due to the sinking of the dam.

The effects of the Saryar Dam construction, which caused flooding in the area, were indirectly responsible for helping to preserve the location, as exposure to the elements was reduced, as well as contact with people who might interfere with the process of uncovering the past.While some areas of the city are flooded, it is still possible to carry out archaeological excavations to understand different aspects of what happened in the ancient city of Asiklik Hoyuk.

Why are underwater cities important for archaeology?

Archaeological discoveries at submerged sites such as Iuliopolis offer rare possibilities for researchers. While archaeological sites on the surface are subject to erosion by the elements and humans, undersea sites have been known to act as protective shields and preserve artifacts.Exploration of these places helps in developing knowledge about ancient urban communities and their occupational and religious practices. For example, research conducted at Iuliopolis has helped to reveal that small towns played an important role in the economic and religious structures of both the Romans and the Byzantines.

What does this discovery mean for future research

The discovery of the city of Iuliopolis shows that modern construction efforts, such as dams, can help cover archaeological sites but also protect them. Future excavations at the site should shed more light on the site’s physical plan, demography, and significance in the ancient world.The development of archeology makes submerged cities more attractive as a source of information about the past. Discoveries made at the site have added to the growing body of knowledge about ancient urban life, especially in areas influenced by both Roman and Byzantine cultures.