1500-year-old heritages found in Turkey

By Burak Akay

CANAKKALE

Scientists found 1,500-year old agricultural and carpentry tools in Alexandria Troas ancient city in northwestern Turkey, according to a local authority.

The Iron and bronze ancient tools were found during an excavation that began in 2011, led by Dr. Erhan Oztepe, an instructor in Ankara University's Archeology Department and the head of Alexandria Troas Excavation, said a statement from the Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism in Canakkale.

Alexandria Troas region is located in Dalyan village of Ezine district.

Oztepe said it is the most interesting finding of 2018.

"Iron and bronze agricultural and carpentry tools indicate the economy of the ancient city and farming activities in Alexandria Troas and nearby regions of the Early Byzantine period," he said.

Kemal Dokuz, the head of Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism, highlighted the tourism importance of the ancient site.

"St. Paul stayed in this city and this place is as important as Ephesus to the Christian world. The Ministry of Culture and Tourism has spent 1 million [Turkish] liras [170,312$] on Alexandria Troas excavations within the last 5 years," he added.