27 May 2025 The Future is the Product of the Past

The inner wall was reached during the excavations of the tomb of the poet Aratos in the Soli Pompeiopolis Ancient City

The inner wall was reached during the excavations of the tomb of Aratos, the famous poet and astronomer of the Hellenistic period

It was reported that most of the inner wall was unearthed during the excavations carried out in the area considered to be the mausoleum of Aratos, the famous poet and astronomer of the Hellenistic period, in Mersin province located in the south of Turkey.

In the Soli Pompeipolis Ancient City, Dokuz Eylül University Faculty of Letters’ Museology Department, Archaeological excavations which started with the team led by Professor Remzi Yağcı, continue.

According to the statement made by the Mezitli Municipality, Soli‐Pompeiopolis, located in the west part of Mersin, was one of the important ports of the Cicilia region in the second and third centuries B.C.

Yagci, whose views are included in the statement, noted that the mausoleum is 150 meters away from the colonnaded street in the ancient city.

Stating that the findings are important both scientifically and in terms of Mersin tourism, Yağcı said, “We are trying to reveal the monumental structure, of which there is not enough information about its shape because it is in pieces in our studies,”  he said.

the Soli Pompeiopolis Ancient City
The Soli Pompeiopolis Ancient City. Photo: AA

Mersin University Archeology Department Lecturer Assoc Emphasizing that they are happy with the satisfactory results of the excavation in a short time, Dr. Deniz Kaplan said, “Despite the findings, we are still at the beginning of the road. As can be seen from the excavations, we are faced with a circular structure in the center and a hexagonal infrastructure around it with two lines. As the excavation progresses, the plan views of these elements may change, and we will be able to tell clearer information when it progresses,” she said.

During the fourth century B.C., SoliPompeiopolis was ruled by the Persians. After Alexander the Great drove the Persians out of Cicilia, the kingdom of Macedon and later the Seleucid Empire ruled over SoliPompeiopolis. Under Seleucid control, the ancient city reached its peak during the Hellenistic period. Philemon, a poet of the New Comedy – a form that adapted the representation of ordinary life – the Stoic philosopher Chrysippus, and Aratus are among the prominent individuals from Soli during this era.

The recent excavations in the archaeological site in the Mezitli district have been focused on uncovering the memorial tomb of Aratus, the famous ancient Greek astronomer and poet of the Hellenistic Period.
The recent excavations in the archaeological site in the Mezitli district have been focused on uncovering the memorial tomb of Aratus, the famous ancient Greek astronomer, and poet of the Hellenistic Period.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency (AA), Yağcı said that Aratus was among the most famed people of his period. “His fame even survived to date. Aratus was born in Soli‐Pompeiopolis but died in Pella in central Macedonia. Nevertheless, people built a memorial tomb for him in his birthplace.”

Mentioning the discovery process of the memorial tomb, Yağcı said, “The tomb was discovered by travelers in the 19th century and remained under the ground for many years. A sarcophagus with engravings is seen here. For this reason, it was named Aratus’ tomb by the paleographer Victor Langlois. Afterward, Ghevont Alishan has transferred the tomb on the scaled plan. This is a crater-like place, a monumental structure. It has a symbolic meaning. It is not a very practical building functionally, but it has a monumental and symbolic significance.”

Aratos (315 BC Tarsus - 240 BC Macedonia, Pella) was a stoic philosopher, poet, mathematician, and astronomer who lived in Antiquity.
Aratos (315 BC Tarsus – 240 BC Macedonia, Pella) was a stoic philosopher, poet, mathematician, and astronomer who lived in Antiquity.

Professor Remzi Yağcı said that their primary aim is to restore the memorial tomb and added “With restoration and restitution projects, we will turn this place into a world-class center that attracts the attention of history enthusiasts.”

Aratos (315 BC Tarsus – 240 BC Macedonia, Pella) was a stoic philosopher, poet, mathematician, and astronomer who lived in Antiquity. Aratos, who completed his primary education in Tarsus, later went to Athens to study mathematics and astronomy in his twenties, while he studied philosophy with the Stoic philosopher Zeno.

Related Articles

Millennia-Old İron Production Facilities Found in Iran

2 May 2021

2 May 2021

Archaeologists have uncovered many millennia-old iron manufacturing sites in a historical village in southcentral Iran. A local tourism official declared...

Google Earth Helped Archaeologists Make İmportant Discoveries in Leicestershire

26 April 2021

26 April 2021

After Google Earth revealed traces of underground structures, archaeologists digging at a Roman settlement in Leicestershire say they have made...

A carved Hand Imprint unearthed in a 1,000-year-old Jerusalem defensive moat

26 January 2023

26 January 2023

The Israel Antiquities Authority announced on Wednesday that archaeologists discovered the remains of a moat and a mysterious hand imprint...

A ‘very rare’ clay figurine of god Mercury and a previously unknown Roman settlement were discovered at the excavation site in Kent

23 February 2024

23 February 2024

At a previously unknown Roman settlement that was formerly next to a busy port but is now 10 miles from...

Earliest Known Stone Mold for Coin Production in Roman Hispania Unearthed

27 March 2025

27 March 2025

Researchers from the University of Jaén have made a groundbreaking discovery at the archaeological site of Obulco, modern-day Porcuna, revealing...

A new Indo-European Language discovered in the Hittite capital Hattusa

21 September 2023

21 September 2023

The Çorum Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism announced in a written statement that a new Indo-European language was discovered...

Archaeologists Discovered a Luxury Roman Village in Southeastern Sicily

17 October 2024

17 October 2024

In the province of Catania, archaeologists have excavated the remains of a Roman house with a mosaic floor dating from...

Hungary’s Hill of Hoards: 3,000-Year-Old Metal Finds Illuminate the Bronze and Iron Age Transition

5 May 2025

5 May 2025

A treasure trove of ancient metal artifacts, dating back over 3,000 years, has been unearthed at Somló Hill in western...

The 2800-year-old Urartians Lake, which is an engineering masterpiece of its time, is drying

13 July 2023

13 July 2023

Keşiş Lake in Van, in eastern Turkey, which was built by the Urartu King Rusa 2,800 years ago, was negatively...

Over 20 terracotta warriors have been discovered in the Terracotta Army pit in China

24 January 2022

24 January 2022

More than 20 Terracotta Warriors were unearthed from the Terracotta Army pit in Xi’an, northwest China’s Shaanxi province, according to...

A new study reveals more than one person was buried in a tomb where the famous Nestor’s Cup was found

6 October 2021

6 October 2021

The Tomb of Nestor’s Cup, a burial that contained one of the oldest known Greek inscriptions, was more crowded than...

A 2,500-year-old Slate Tablet Containing Paleo-Hispanic Alphabet Found

15 June 2024

15 June 2024

Experts analyzing the symbols on a 2,500-year-old tablet recently discovered in Spain have uncovered a mysterious ancient alphabet. According to...

A New Hypothesis Tries to Explain What Triggers People’s Big Brains

14 March 2021

14 March 2021

The big brain is the decisive feature of our species. Not only are they the most complex organs in the...

Egyptian mission discovered five ancient water wells in North Sinai

1 March 2022

1 March 2022

A team of Egyptian archeologists working in the Tell El Kedwa discovered five ancient wells which are believed to be...

Ancient Roman Road with Porticoes and Rare Artifacts Discovered in Switzerland

6 May 2025

6 May 2025

A major rescue excavation in Kaiseraugst, northern Switzerland, has revealed a substantial Roman road complete with porticoes, alongside poignant infant...