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Ancient city of Amos (Turkey) to serve tourism

An ancient city located in the Turunç district of the resort town of Marmaris will be restored to serve tourism.

The Marmaris Chamber of Commerce, or MTO, Muğla University Archeology Department, Turunç Municipality and The Union of Tourism and Infrastructure in Marmaris and its Environs, or MARTAB, have joined forces for the project.

Speaking at the amphitheater of the 4,000-year-old city of Amos, located approximately 20 kilometers from Marmaris, MTO President Mehmet Baysal said the organization was proud to become a part of the efforts. “Amos was a part of the Caria civilization and one of the most important elements of the the Rhodes union,” he said. “We are very happy that now it can serve as a tourism hotspot.”

Baysal said no excavations will be performed in the city for now, and only landscaping works will be done, focusing on the 1,000 people capacity amphitheater.

Miray Apak, MTO’s foreign relations director, said the works in Amos were part of the chamber’s ongoing project “Where will Marmaris be in 2010.”

“We have applied for the necessary permits,” said Apak. “The construction works will start once the permits are granted, which I believe will be very soon.”

Turunç Mayor Ali Fuat Fidan, a member of the main opposition Republican People’s Party, or CHP, said projects for the ancient city of Amos have been on the district’s agenda for years. “Today we are making a start,” he said. “I want to thank all the parties involved in the project and promise the municipality will support them in the best way it can.”

The head of Muğla University’s archeology department, Professor Adnan Diler, who acts as a scientific consultant to the project, noted not enough attention is shown to the historical assets of the Muğla region. “The ministry and gendarmerie cannot be enough; the local officials and nongovernmental organizations should take care of these remains,” said Diler.

Diler said he was excited with the stage of the ancient amphitheater. “I will support the project as a consultant,” he added. “For years, we have argued ‘don’t do that there, declare this area a protected zone,’ but this is not the way to preserve the ancient remains. We must do the right things and show that preservation is not that difficult.”

The ruins of the ancient city of Amos can be reached from Asarcık Hill, northwest of Kumlubük Bay. Amos dates to the Hellenistic era and now consists of an amphitheatre on the side of the hill, a temple and statue pedestals. Surrounded by ramparts dating back to the same time, this amphitheater is in good condition, including its seating area, side walls and stage with three chambers. Excavations in 1948 by Professor George Evards Bean revealed four inscriptions, which mentioned three rental contracts, thought to date from around 200 B.C.

Read entire article at Hürryet Daily News (Turkey)