Five-Thousand-Year-Old Planned City Uncovered in Yassıtepe Mound Excavations
Excavations at the Yassıtepe Mound in the Bornova Plain of Izmir have revealed five-thousand-year-old city ruins contemporary with Troy, surrounded by walls and possessing advanced trade networks.
Excavation work carried out at the Yassıtepe Mound, located in Izmir's Bornova Plain, has brought to light a planned urban life surrounded by walls and powerful trade networks dating back approximately five thousand years.
Historical Discovery in the Bornova Plain
It has been determined that an advanced urban life existed beneath the modern structures in the center of Izmir approximately five thousand years ago. The findings uncovered during the excavation work conducted at the Yassıtepe Mound proved that the region has a deeply rooted history.
The work carried out on behalf of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Ege University under the direction of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zafer Derin sheds light on Izmir's history of urbanization and trade.
Referred to as Izmir's Troy
Pointing out that the settlement at Yassıtepe is contemporary with the earliest periods of Troy, Excavation Director Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zafer Derin stated that temples, storage areas, production sites, and workshops are located in the region.
This fan-shaped urban settlement, surrounded by outer walls, reveals the advanced architectural and city planning mindset of the period.
Production and Trade Centers
Alongside planned urban life, it was determined that a strong production and trade order developed in Yassıtepe. A large number of large storage jars indicate that agricultural products were safely stored.
While bronze production and valuable pottery demonstrate the economic power of the city, commercial relations extending from inner Western Anatolia to the coastal Aegean point to a wide network.
Agricultural Wealth and Products
In addition to grape seeds, dried grapes, molasses residues, liquid vessels associated with wine, and olive pits were brought to light during the excavations.
These findings serve as proof of the diversity of agricultural production in the region and the existence of advanced food processing techniques.
Mycenaean Tombs and Cylinder Seals
Tombs associated with the Mycenaean culture showed that the dead were placed inside jars without being cremated.
Two cylinder seals recovered from one of these tombs clarify Yassıtepe's position in the international commercial relations of the period.
Traces of Hunting and Historic Earthquake
Remains of the Anatolian leopard and bear were reached in the settlement, yielding traces of hunting activities that served as indicators of power and prestige.
Additionally, a major earthquake that occurred around 2800 BC caused destruction in the settlement and created deformations in the walls.