Excavations reveal 11th-century church

Researchers have uncovered remains of a 800-year-old church located within the ancient city of Adramytteion, Balıkesir province, Turkey.

Remains of the 11-th-century church (by Hurriyet Daily News)

The remains of the structure have been unearthed right before the end of this year’s season of excavations of the ancient city located. The building is located in a field on the Ören Hill. This is a second church that has been found in the ancient city. A large church was uncovered previously during the seasons of investigation between 2000-2006 .That same building was destroyed also in the 11th century. Adramytteion or Adramyttium was an ancient city and bishopric in Aeolis. According to Aristotle, Adramyttium was founded by, and named after, Adramytos, the son of King Alyattes of Lydia. The fall of the Kingdom of Lydia in 546 BC led Adramyttium to form part of the Persian Empire and was administered as part of the province of Hellespontine Phrygia from the early 5th century BC onward. Following the end of the Peloponnesian War in 404 BC, Adramyttium came under the control of Mytilene. Following his victory at the Battle of the Granicus in 334 BC, Adramyttium came under the control of Alexander the Great. It was annexed to the Seleucid Empire after Lysimachus’ defeat at the Battle of Corupedium in 281 BC during the wars between Alexander’s successors. In 133 BC, Adramyttium came under Roman control and became part of the province of Asia. Adramyttium was damaged by an earthquake during the reign of Emperor Trajan, who subsequently rebuilt the city. Upon the death of Emperor Theodosius I in 395 it became part of the Eastern Roman Empire.

(after Hurriyet Daily News)

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