Olive mill uncovered in ancient Greek city

A 2000-year-old olive oil mill has been unearthed by archaeologists in the ancient city of Tripolis on the Meander, near modern-day Yenicekent, South-West Turkey.

The olive mill (by DHA Photo)

Researchers of the Pamukkale University’s Archeology Department and Tripolis Excavation Committee led by Bahadır Duman uncovered remains of the building during excavations of an ancient city’s agora. The mill room is said to measure 3.5 meters, with a stone press measuring 50 centimetres in diameter which was used to crush the olives. Additionally, fifty columns were raised during the restoration of the agora, clearing the centre area where the mill was discovered. According to the archaeologists this discovery shows that in the past the region of Lydia was rich in olive cultivation. Tripolis on the Meander (Tripolis ad Meandrum) was also known as Neapolis, Apollonia, and Antoninopolis. It was located on the borders of Phrygia, Caria and Lydia, on the northern bank of the upper course of the Maeander. The city lived its time of splendour during the Roman Period. After the 2nd century CE a new period of construction work begun in the city and new public buildings such as city gates, streets, baths, stadiums, theatres and council halls were built.

(after DHA Photo & Daily Sabah)

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