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©The Archaeological Settlements of Turkey - TAY Project
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Viransehir / Soli (Soloi) Pompeiopolis |
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For site maps and drawings please click on the picture...  |
For photographs please click on the photo...  |
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Type:
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Mound |
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Altitude:
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160 m |
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Region:
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Mediterranean |
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Province:
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Mersin |
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District:
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Mezitli |
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Village:
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Viransehir |
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Investigation Method:
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Excavation |
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Period:
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| Location: It is located in the ancient city of Soloi (Soli) Pompeiopolis; Viransehir at present; on the Mediterranean coast; 11 km southwest of the Mersin Province. |
| Geography and Environment: It was named after the ancient city it was located. Soloi/Soli means sun. The mound measures 7 m in height and 30 m in diameter. The latest publication of the excavations started again in the ancient city of Soli/Pompeiopolis refers to the dimensions as 22 m in height and 300 m in diameter. |
| History: |
| Research and Excavation: In 1889, displacement of an enormous stone as a result of fierce precipitation on the slope of the mound revealed a large size pithos as a hoard. F. von Luschan who went to the findspot along with the shepherd who found the pithos performed a sounding here. Luschan concluded that the stone belonged to the Roman period level, and had no relation to the pithos. The finds recovered from the pithos were taken to the Museum of Berlin. Metallic ware dating to the Early Bronze Age was found at the mound and its environs which was surveyed by V. Seton-Williams and J. Mellaart [Mellaart 1963: fig.6] as well as Iron Age, Hellenistic Period, and Roman-Byzantine Period sherds. The hoard was introduced in detail by K. Bittel [Bittel 1940:183-201]. Since the findspot is uncertain, it is not possible to identify the stratification [Seton-Williams 1954:168]. The present excavations at the ancient harbor city of Soli/Pompeiopolis are being performed in two separate sections; Soli Höyük and Colonnaded Street. The preliminary work for the excavations were completed with the finalization of topographic mapping in 1998. The excavations were initiated in 1999 with the scientific contribution by R.Yagci under the direction of Içel Museum [Yagci 2001:259]. It takes place in the registered archaeological sites list prepared by Ministry of Culture and Tourism. |
| Stratigraphy: Soli Höyük went through a bright Hellenistic period. This was the continuity of, -in backwards order Early-Late Classical period, Archaic and Geometric periods. Archaeological levels that show the settlement goes back to Late Bronze Age were found in 2001. In the mean time Neolithic and Chalcolithic (?) debris, the blade and sickle fragments, limestone found on the hill show how far back the settlement history of mound Soli goes [Yagci 2002:285; Yagci 2003: 516]. The archaeological data from Soli displays colonial action that intensified in early 7th century BC and that this location was a harbor city. Based particularly on the Archaic cyma, gargoyle and roof tile fragments, the excavation leader suggests that a Greek community from Lindos built a colony, and that there is a sanctuary (Athena Temple?) related with that is in question. The trade relations got intensified in 7th century BC, and lasted until late Hellenistic period [Yagci 2002:287-288]. |
| Small Finds: Architecture: The 2005 campaign mainly focused on squares G7, G8, H8, E6 and E7 on the mound. The excavations at trenches G7, G8, and H8 aimed to examine the Hittite stratigraphy and architecture unearthed in previous years while the excavations at trenches E6 and E7 were started to examine the Greek Colonialization Period during the 1st Millennium BC and determine the relations with Cilicia during that period. The building remains at the plan squares in question have been seriously destroyed except for the interrupted foundation walls and a few compressed lime floors which do not have any consistency [Yagci 2007:176-177]. Pottery: The trench H3 yielded fragments of kraters with concentric circles inside a metope dating to the 7th century and fragments of cycladic vessels within a mixed deposit independent of a context [Yagci 2001:261]. The 6th century double knitted band decorated sherd and the lotus flower decorated krater sherds represent the Archaic period sherds of the 2000 campaign [Yagci 2002:287]. During the 2005 campaign, trenches G7, G8, H8, E6 and E7 yielded Cypriot pottery of cage decorated body fragments of with purple paint on white background from the 8th-7th centuries BC, 6 sherds of 7th century BC Ionian bowl rims, and "Wild goat style" vessel fragments (G7), a 7th century BC Euboea or Cycladic skyphos specimen (G7), a 7th-6th century Cypriot "White Painted IV" closed vessel body sherds decorated with black swastika and chevron motifs (E7), 7th century BC wave line decorated vessels (E7) concentric circle or horizontal band decorated sherds (G7 and H8) dating to the Middle (850-700 BC) and Late Iron Age (700-600 BC) [Yagci 2007:176-178]. The Geometric Period sherds of Soli Höyük offered rich specimens in parallel with Tarsus. Most of them are dated to the Late Iron Age period. Concentric circles with or without Metope, horizontal, parallel banded monochrome or bichrome ceramics, Rhodian bowls with bird figures, 6th century BC painted ceramics, Ionian vessels, East Greek Lebeses, Early Corinthian pottery sherds provide evidence for the relationship between Soli and the Greek World during the 7th - 6th centuries [Yagci 2002:287]. Clay: The Archaic Period terracotta building plaques in relief and roof elements recovered from trench H3 are among the most interesing finds of the 1999 campaign. A plaque in two pieces on which two antithetical sphinxes were described, a lotus palmetto decorated roof tile and a gargoyle represent the first such finds at Cilicia [Yagci 2001:261-262]. Fragments of voluted palmetto decorated antefixa, cymatium fragments with meander relief and lotus-palmetto decorated roofing tiles became part of the finds during the 2000 campaign [Yagci 2002:286-287]. Figurines: The figurine of goddess Bes with amulet function is among the most important finds dating to the Archaic Period [Yagci 2002:285-87]. |
| Remains: |
| Interpretation and Dating: Based on the finds mentioned above, Soli which was a harbor city, had close marine and cultural relations with Corinth, Attica, Euboea, Ionia, Aegean islands and Cyprus during the 7th and 6th centuries. Ceramics (various kitchen ware and amphoras) and the unseen items such as oil, wine, perfumes, leather etc. accounted for the basis of these relations in archaeological terms [Yagci 2007:178]. |
