Acarlar in Selηuk, Izmir, Turkiye — West Asia or Southeast Europe
The Archaic-Classical Settlement and the Sepulchre Street
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, June 21, 2015
1. The Archaic-Classical Settlement and the Sepulchre Street Marker
English Text:
In the 8th century B.C. a village settlement was founded at the bay where the sea reached up to the Roman-period West Gate of the Agora; this settlement is probably Smyrna, attested in literature. Excavations in the western part of the Agora have revealed five architectural phases of residences: initially single-room, rectangular or oval houses developed over time into complexes with numerous rooms and inner courtyards. In the mid-6th century the coastal part of the settlement was abandoned due to the rising sea level.
Still in the 6th century a pottery kiln was built into the ruins; also an industrial enterprise existed here from mid-5th till the early 4th century B.C.
Under the eastern part of the Agora lies a graveyard from the 6th-4th centuries B.C. which expanded along the road that went through the dale between the two mountains of the town; reaching the later South Gate, it divided and its two branches ran along the shoreline.
Erected by Republic of Turkey Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and the Φsterreichisches Archaeology Institute.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these
this page online
Location. 37° 56.379′ N, 27° 20.442′ E. Marker is in Acarlar, Izmir, in Selηuk. It can be reached from Efes Yolu just south of Dr. Sabri Yayla Boulevard (Route D515) when traveling south. The marker is in an archaeological park that is about 3 km (2 miles) southeast of Selηuk. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Acarlar, Izmir 35920, Turkiye. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Turkish Asia Minor Anatolia. Globally, it is in West Asia, Mesopotamia, and in a coastal Mediterranean country. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Byzantine Empire, the Ottoman Empire, the Roman Empire, and on the Silk Road.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Tetragonos Agora - The Commercial Market (within shouting distance of this marker); The South Gate of the Agora (within shouting distance of this marker); The Celsus Library (within shouting distance of this marker); Hadrian's Gate (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line);
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, June 21, 2015
2. The Archaic-Classical Settlement and the Sepulchre Street Marker
Close-up view of a drawing of the overhead floor-plan that is displayed on the marker. The English caption simply reads, "Plan."
More about this marker. This marker is one of the many markers that are situated at the archaeological park that displays the ruins of the ancient city of Ephesus. One web site boasts that the ruins that one can see and experience at Ephesus are, "better than Rome itself," and although some of the artifacts found in this area have been dated back to about 6,000 BC, most of what the visitors to the archaeological park see, date back to the glory years of Greece and Rome.
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, June 21, 2015
3. The Archaic-Classical Settlement and the Sepulchre Street Marker
Close-up view of photograph that is displayed on the marker. The English caption reads, "A buried sarcophagus (5th century B.C.): Sarcophagus with broken lid; sarcophagus with a skeleton (20-year-old male) and burial gifts."
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, June 21, 2015
4. The Archaic-Classical Settlement and the Sepulchre Street Marker
Close-up view of photograph that is displayed on the marker. The English caption reads, "Buildings of Smyrna (8th-6th centuries B.C.) under the West Stoa of the Hellenistic Agora."
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, June 21, 2015
5. The Archaic-Classical Settlement and the Sepulchre Street Marker
Close-up view of photograph that is displayed on the marker. The English caption reads, "Ceramic kiln (6th century B.C.) in an older house wall."
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, June 21, 2015
6. The Archaic-Classical Settlement and the Sepulchre Street Marker
View of the marker, looking west, situated near some ruins, under a lone tree, in the souther section of the Agora.
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, June 21, 2015
7. The Archaic-Classical Settlement and the Sepulchre Street Marker
A more distant view of the marker, looking west, situated near some ruins, under a lone tree, in the souther section of the Agora.
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, June 21, 2015
8. The Archaic-Classical Settlement and the Sepulchre Street Marker
A distant view of the marker, looking northwest towards the center of the Agora, with the marker situated near some ruins, under a lone tree (left side of the picture), in the souther section of the Agora.
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, June 21, 2015
9. The Archaic-Classical Settlement and the Sepulchre Street Marker
A distant view of the marker, looking south across the center of the Agora, with the marker situated near some ruins, under a lone tree (center of the picture), in the souther section of the Agora.
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, June 21, 2015
10. The Archaic-Classical Settlement and the Sepulchre Street Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2022. It was originally submitted on March 23, 2018, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 547 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. submitted on March 23, 2018, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.
