Ancient Water Channel and Newly Discovered Mosaics at Smyrna Agora
While a 2,000-year-old Roman-era water channel continues to flow in İzmir's Smyrna Agora, mosaic-floored rooms and wall paintings dating back to Late Antiquity have been found.
During excavation works carried out at the historical Smyrna Agora in İzmir, a 2,000-year-old ancient Roman water channel continues to flow uninterruptedly, while mosaic-floored rooms and wall paintings dating to Late Antiquity have been brought to light.
Ancient Water Channel Continues to Flow
The Roman-era ancient water channel found in the Smyrna Agora continues to flow today despite 2,000 years having passed.
The excavation team conducted detailed examinations by following a 150-meter line in order to determine the source of the channel.
It is evaluated that the water may be connected to a spring around the Namazgah Bath and Kurşunlu Mosque in the south of the Agora.
Support and Excavation Works
The main sponsor of the excavations, carried out on behalf of İzmir Katip Çelebi University with the permission of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, is the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality.
The Metropolitan Municipality is providing a total financial support of 34.5 million liras for the Smyrna Agora and Ancient Smyrna Theater excavations in the 2025-2027 period.
New Rooms Dating to Late Antiquity
During the excavation works in 2026, three new rooms were brought to light as a continuation of the mosaic floor found last year.
It was determined that the floors of two of these uncovered rooms consist of mosaics and one of marble flooring.
Wall Paintings and Dating
Original wall paintings, which had never been encountered in previous excavations around the Agora and the Smyrna Theater, were also discovered during this period.
It has been determined that these newly found rooms and remains belong to the 5th and 6th centuries AD, namely the Late Antiquity period.
Integrating the Theater into Urban Life
One of the main objectives of the excavation works is to re-integrate the 20,000-capacity Smyrna Theater located on the slopes of Kadifekale into urban life.
Head of Excavations Prof. Dr. Akın Ersoy emphasized that the social, cultural, and commercial roots of today's Kemeraltı extend all the way to the Smyrna Agora.