7 May 2025 The Future is the Product of the Past

Rare gladiator tombs were discovered in the Ancient City of Anavarza in southern Türkiye

Archaeologists have discovered rare gladiator tombs in the ancient city of Anavarza, known as the “Invincible city” in history, which stands out with its magnificent gate and ramparts, as well as the first double-lane road of the ancient world.

The ancient city of Anavarza is located within the borders of the Dilekkaya Village of Kozan district of Adana province in the south of Turkey.

Although it is unknown when Anavarza was initially established, knowledge about the city appears for the first time during the Hellenistic Period. Anavarza was an important trading center at the period because of its strategic location connecting Central Anatolia with Syria. However, once Roman Emperor Septimius Severus rewarded it, the city began to experience its wealth in the 2nd century AD. Anavarza grew in importance over time, eventually becoming the “Capital of Cilicia” in 408.

Photo: AA

In the ancient city of Anavarza, which has a history of approximately 2,000 years, the excavation team, which includes 24 staff, 30 scientists, and two archaeologists led by Dr. Fatih Gülşen from Çukurova University, has been carrying out excavations at the site near the amphitheater and the theater sections this season, Anadolu Agency (AA) reported.

In the excavations in the amphitheater, traces of gladiator tombs that fought each other or with predators in the arena in ancient Rome were found.

Noting that they found the tombs near the southern part of the excavation site, close to the amphitheater, Gülşen said they believe the gladiators fought here.

Photo: AA

“We know that they organized not only gladiator fights but also water sports, games, and festivals here,” Gülşen said, as he noted that the amphitheater at Anavarza is one of the four such examples in Anatolia.

Gülşen noted that they expect to discover the bones of gladiators and a necropolis in their excavations and shed more light on the history of the ancient site.

Anavarza, the title of “Metropolis”, was established in an area of 1143 decares together with the castle, mosaics, bathhouses, churches, triumphal arch, aqueducts, and rock tombs, stadium, and ancient theatre.

The city also features the world's first and oldest street, a 2,700-meter-long (8,860-feet-long) and 34-meter-wide road decorated with 1.5-meter-high columns.
The city also features the world’s first and oldest street, a 2,700-meter-long (8,860-feet-long) and 34-meter-wide road decorated with 1.5-meter-high columns. Photo: AA

Anavarza carries the traces of many important civilizations of human history such as Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Armenian, and Ottoman.

Related Articles

“Last Rhodes shipwreck” of Roman period found in Turkey’s Fethiye

5 March 2022

5 March 2022

Turkish researchers, a Rhodes shipwreck from the third century A.D. was discovered in the depths of the Gulf of Fethiye...

Jordan’s mysterious ancient wall “Khatt Shebib”

22 October 2022

22 October 2022

The accomplishments of ancient civilizations are typically woefully underappreciated because we stereotype them as primitives who only wore loincloths, and...

Largest ever Roman silver hoard in Germany found in Augsburg

12 November 2021

12 November 2021

Archaeologists in Augsburg, Germany, revealed unearthed a historical hoard including 15 kg of silver coins from the Roman Empire’s era....

A prehistoric monument consisting of three round enclosures, one of which resembles a horseshoe, was discovered in France

7 April 2024

7 April 2024

Archaeologists from the French National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research (INRAP) unearthed an unusual, prehistoric monument in the shape of...

An extremely Rare Half-Shekel Coin From Year Three of the Great Revolt discovered

21 December 2022

21 December 2022

Recent excavations by archaeologists from the Hebrew University in the Ophel area south of the Temple Mount uncovered the remains...

The camel carvings in Saudi Arabia are 8000 years old!

15 September 2021

15 September 2021

Life-size animal reliefs found in Saudi Arabia were carved almost 8,000 years ago, during the Neolithic period, when the desert...

3,000-Year-Old Huge Settlement Discovered in Northern France

24 March 2025

24 March 2025

Archaeologists have unearthed a remarkable settlement in the Hauts-de-France region, dating back to the Late Bronze Age and early Iron...

Women with Sart Renovate Largest Synagogue of Ancient World

4 August 2023

4 August 2023

Village women take part in the renovation works of the largest synagogue in the ancient world, located in the ancient...

“Secret” Excavations in Luxembourg Reveal 141 Roman Gold Coins from Nine Roman Emperors

13 January 2025

13 January 2025

Archaeologists uncovered a Roman gold coin hoard of 141 Roman gold coins dating to the second half of the 4th...

Scientists Uncover 22,000-Year-Old Evidence of Prehistoric Transport

9 March 2025

9 March 2025

In a remarkable glimpse into the ingenuity of our early ancestors, recent research reveals that 22,000 years ago, humans may...

A 7,500-year-old settlement has been discovered in Turkey’s Domuztepe Mound

11 September 2021

11 September 2021

During the most recent excavations at Domuztepe Mound in the Türkoğlu district of southern Turkey’s Kahramanmaraş province, a settlement and...

New rune discovery in Oslo

16 February 2022

16 February 2022

For the third time in a month and a half, archaeologists have found a new rune in Oslo. The artifact...

Rare Hittite bracelet, 3300 years old, found by a farmer

28 March 2022

28 March 2022

A farmer in Turkey’s Çorum province discovered a rare 3,300-year-old ancient bracelet from the Hittite era while plowing his farm....

New study reveals the Milky Way’s hidden role in ancient Egyptian mythology

11 April 2024

11 April 2024

The ancient Egyptians were keen observers of the night sky. They incorporated their astronomical observations into their religion, mythology, and...

14,000 years old vessels made by Hunter-gatherers in Japan

1 May 2022

1 May 2022

The Late Pleistocene inhabitants of Tanegashima Island were making pottery about 14,000 years ago. In the Jomon period, people obtained...