Aspendos:Recent excavations at the ancient city of Aspendos, located in the Serik district of Antalya province in southern Trkiye, have revealed that the site was inhabited as early as 6,000 years ago. Aspendos is renowned for its well-preserved Roman theater and aqueducts and was a significant city in ancient Pamphylia. The excavations are led by Mustafa Bilgin, an associate professor at Afyon Kocatepe University, as part of the Culture and Tourism Ministry's Heritage for the Future Project.

According to Anadolu Agency, the ancient city's theater, nearly 2,000 years old, is considered one of the best-preserved in Anatolia. The site also includes aqueducts, an agora, a monumental fountain, a temple, a stadium, a council building, and an ancient theater street. Recent discoveries include a depiction of the river god Eurymedon from the third century, adding to the site's archaeological significance and indicating a history of settlement long before the Iron Age.

Mustafa Bilgin noted that the theater is a rare example in Anatolian and Mediterranean archaeology due to its well-retained architectural elements. Many of the structures remain standing almost to roof level, and the monumental structures reflecting the period's landscape can still be observed on the acropolis.

The excavation findings have uncovered evidence dating to the Late Chalcolithic Period beneath the floors of two-story shops. Plates, bowls, and various tools from this period have been found, revealing that Aspendos' acropolis dates back to between 3500 and 4000 B.C.

Bilgin highlighted Aspendos as a multilayered archaeological site, with most structures surviving in a form consistent with their ancient identity. This preservation makes Aspendos a crucial destination for both tourism and archaeology. The site has attracted increased visitor interest, particularly since the Culture and Tourism Ministry introduced night museum visits, offering an enjoyable experience of the ancient theater and monumental structures in a unique atmosphere.