In the ongoing rescue excavations at the ancient city of Antiocheia, located in Hatay province in southern Türkiye, twelve pipes from the Late Roman Period that supplied water to the city have been uncovered.
Hatay is the province that suffered the most damage from the two major earthquakes in 2023, which resulted in the deaths of thousands of people.
The rescue excavations in Antiocheia are being conducted under the leadership of the Hatay Archaeology Museum with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The excavations are ongoing on the western slope of St. Pierre Church.
The cave church is considered a pilgrimage site for Christians.
The pipes, believed to have been used to transport water from the springs on Mount Habib-i Neccar to the city, indicate that the region is rich in water resources.
Acting Director of the Hatay Archaeology Museum, Ali Ateş, stated to an AA reporter that architectural structures dating back to the 5th century AD have been uncovered around the church.
Ateş mentioned that the connection of these structures to the church is being investigated, saying, “We believe that the architectural remains were used for the accommodation of Christians who came to the St. Pierre Church for pilgrimage and for their daily needs. We also think that the jar, dishes, and kitchenware uncovered in the excavations we conducted in 2021 were used during that period.”
Ateş stated, “We have identified water pipes and sewage systems. These indicate that the region is rich in water resources. We believe that the pipes were constructed to meet the city’s water needs from the springs coming from Mount Habib-i Neccar and for drainage channels.”
He also mentioned that they aim to reach the entirety of the geometric patterned mosaic, part of which was found last year, and added that plans are in place to create an archaeological park encompassing St. Pierre Church and the Necmi Asfuroğlu Archaeology Museum after the completion of the work.
Cover Photo: Salim Taş/AA
