Ancient City Of Soli Reveals Its Hidden Streets And Glorious Columns

MessageToEagle.com – Ancient city of Soli was once a beautiful place. It was a gate to the world. Today all that is left are ruins and well-preserved mosaics.

However, this is about to change now, as archaeologists are slowly unearthing the hidden street and the glorious Pompeiopolis columns.

Located on the island of Cyprus, southwest of Morphou this ancient Greek city dates back to about the 6th century BC.

Ancient city of Soli
Ancient city of Soli. Image credit DHA

Here we find a centerpiece of the Basilica’s mosaic floor that depicts a beautiful white swan surrounded by flowers and dolphins.

It was also during excavations of Soli that the famous armless statue of Aphrodite, which dates back to the 2nd century BC was found. It is now on display in the Cyprus Museum of Greek Nicosia and its likeness is ubiquitous throughout the island.

The swan mosaic discovered in the ancient city of Soli.
The swan mosaic discovered in the ancient city of Soli.

Now, a group of archaeologists have started a two months excavation project. The goal is to unearth the rest of a Roman street, which was unearthed in previous years.

Dokuz Eylül University Head of Museum Department Professor Remzi Yağcı said the first excavations in Soli Pompeipolis were initiated by Mersin University Archaeology Department in 1999, with much significant data obtained since then.

Soli Pompeiopolis was an important ancient harbor city.
Soli Pompeiopolis was an important ancient harbor city.

During last year’s 37-day excavations, the ancient city was found to be a very active harbor in the 1st B.C. and 1st A.D., said Yağcı, adding the work in 2013 unearthed the columned street and Roman stores in an architectural order.

Yağcı said the team will work on the restoration of the columned street area and the Roman shops, with most of the team working to uncover the columned street.

“Our goal is to reach the continuation of the street. We will see if restoration can be done in the newly excavated areas and if we can do further projects in this area,” he added.

Yağcı said they also wanted to find early Roman-era artifacts and continue work at Soli Mound with a team.

Ancient ruins of city of Soli. Image credit DHA
Ancient ruins of city of Soli. Image credit DHA

“Last year, we started a project there related to the 6th and 7th century colonization periods. We want to maintain this project and reveal history,” he said.
Mezitli Mayor Neşet Tarhan said the district was home to rich archaeological findings, as Soli Pompeiopolis was an important ancient harbor city.

“All of the Pompeiopolis columns have not been unearthed yet. This place was damaged during a large earthquake but almost 40 percent of the columns still survive,” he said, adding that the city would continue to support archaeological works.
“Soli Pompeiopolis is Mezitli’s gate to the world. We organize festivals here. The richness underground should be uncovered as soon as possible.

They are a world heritage that everyone has right to see,” the mayor said.

“Soli Pompeiopolis is Mezitli’s gate to the world. We organize festivals here. The richness underground should be uncovered as soon as possible. They are a world heritage that everyone has right to see.”

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Roman streets of ancient Soli gradually unearthed

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