Roman Bathhouse Ruins Discovered During Construction in Bolu, Sparking Major Archaeological Excavations

During the construction of an apartment in Bolu, the ruins of an antique bathhouse were discovered, which resulted in the beginning of a significant archaeological excavation. The historical treasures will reportedly be documented and preserved in a museum.

(Photo : Turkiye Today/ IHA )

Discovery of Roman Bath House Ruins on A Construction Project

Historical remains were discovered on Mumcuoglu Street as the land, designated as an archaeological site of the third degree, was being prepared to develop apartments with 91 bedrooms. After receiving notification from the building company, the Bolu Museum Directorate promptly sent personnel to the location, where construction work was paused, and archaeologists immediately began an exhaustive excavation of the site. The primary findings indicate that the remains discovered are those of a bathhouse dating back to the Roman era.

As mentioned, a temple on Hisar Hill, a neighboring theater, a church to the northeast, and fragments of a stadium to the south are among the significant Roman-era ruins in Bolu. There are also traces of a stadium to the south, but a considerable portion has been lost over time.

Nevertheless, this astonishing find reportedly sharpens the focus on Bolu's significance in ancient history and emphasizes the possibility of increasing cultural tourism in the region.

On the other hand, an amateur historian from the area named Ufuk Ak said that the site is currently being explored with great care. They discovered channels constructed with bricks and stones roasted in a fire and intended to circulate hot water around the bathhouse.

Ak went into further detail regarding Bolu's historical significance, mentioning that the city was called Claudiopolis during Emperor Hadrian's reign.

While lamenting that Bolu's rich past is sometimes overlooked, he stressed the possibilities for cultural tourism in the community. The historic bathhouse's priceless relics and architecture will likely be unearthed and preserved for future generations through painstaking excavation.

Accordingly, after the archaeological work has been finished, construction will resume, and special attention will be paid to preserving and documenting the historical discoveries. All noteworthy discoveries will be transferred to the Bolu Museum Directorate so they can be maintained and displayed.

Also Read: 5 Unique Driveway Landscaping Ideas to Improve Customization of Your Home 

Roman-era ruins in Bolu.

Archaeological relics and fossils discovered by state researchers provide proof that Bolu was a native of the area. Indications of human occupation dating back to the Neolithic period and ruins from the Bronze Age have also been discovered.

Many historical societies adopted the governments of Persians, Romans, and Byzantines. After the Byzantine Empire's defeat in the fight against the Seljuk Turks, the state of Bol fell under the rule of the Komnenos. In 1461, the Ottomans successfully annexed the state to the regions under the control of the Ottoman Caliphate.

On the other hand, in the Akpınar Neighborhood of Bolu city center, Turkey, foundation excavation work initiated 50 years ago to construct the Girls' Institute led to the discovery of a female marble figurine, which workers presented to the Bolu Museum authorities. After examining the museum, the administrators concluded that the women's bust they investigated was from the Roman period. Since then, the bust has been displayed in the museum as a female bust from the Roman century.

Related Article: Reviving Ancient Techniques: How Raw Earth Construction is Shaping Europe's Sustainable Future