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Excavations uncover 1,500-year-old blacksmith workshop in Isparta's Seleukeia Sidera
Excavations at the ancient city of Seleukeia Sidera in Isparta have uncovered a 5th-century blacksmith workshop.
Archaeological excavations at the ancient city of Seleukeia Sidera in Isparta have brought to light a blacksmith workshop dating back approximately 1,500 years to the 5th century.
During the excavations, which are conducted year-round by Süleyman Demirel University with permission from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, a smelting furnace used in iron production, an anvil, a charcoal storage area, and a metal cooling pool were identified. Numerous finds related to ironworking were also uncovered.
A Complete Iron Production Cycle
Prof. Dr. Bilge Hürmüzlü Kortholt, the head of the excavation and chair of the Department of Archaeology at Süleyman Demirel University, stated that previously found iron production waste and geophysical surveys had led them to this workshop. She noted that traces of other production processes, not just iron smelting, were also encountered at the workshop site.
The excavation team fully uncovered the smelting furnace, anvil, charcoal storage, and iron cooling pool. In addition, semi-finished horseshoes, nails, knives, and large iron ingots were found. All artifacts were handed over to the Isparta Museum Directorate.
"Very Few Examples Exist in Anatolia"
Prof. Dr. Kortholt emphasized that the workshop is located in the industrial district of the ancient city, saying, "We have managed to uncover almost the entire architectural structure and the spatial organization of a fully equipped blacksmith workshop. There are very few examples this well-preserved in Anatolia, which makes the find exceptionally important."
Isparta Provincial Director of Culture and Tourism Vural Oğuzlar said that the increase in the number of experts this year has significantly accelerated the work. Noting that important findings have been obtained especially in the ancient commercial district, Oğuzlar stated, "The excavations are continuing intensively. The work is progressing rapidly and we are regularly discovering new artifacts."
The Boundaries of the Ancient City Are Expanding
Research has revealed that Seleukeia Sidera extends over a much larger area than previously estimated. It was determined that the city encompasses not only a central area of approximately 330 hectares but also the modern settlements of Çünür, Sav, and Harmanören.
Prof. Dr. Kortholt stated that the presence of two lakes and the Akçay stream contributed to the development of agriculture, animal husbandry, and craft production. She assessed, "The data obtained show that Seleukeia Sidera was one of the important economic centers of its time, thanks to its advanced industrial zones and high production capacity."
Excavations at the ancient city have been ongoing since 2017. The project gained the status of a presidential long-term archaeological excavation in 2019, and in 2024 it was included in the Ministry of Culture and Tourism's 'Legacy for the Future' program. In addition to workers, approximately 47 experts and students are participating in the work.
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