Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy made a statement on social media regarding the ongoing excavation, documentation and conservation work in the Ancient City of Pompeiopolis in Taşköprü district of Kastamonu.
Stating that new traces dating back to the Roman Imperial Period to the Late Antiquity were unearthed in Pompeiopolis, Minister Ersoy announced that important findings were found during the work in the central nave of the basilica.
Ersoy said, "We unearthed floor mosaics of approximately 105 square meters, composed of geometric compositions and very well preserved, dating back to the 4th century AD." he said.
Pointing out that the entire mosaic floor in the central nave has not been excavated yet, Ersoy said, "Our excavations are continuing." he said.
Minister Ersoy announced that another important find was reached in the 2026 studies, M.S. He reported that a head of Eros dating to the second half of the 2nd century was unearthed.
Stating that the first construction phase of the basilica dates back to the second half of the 2nd century AD, Ersoy stated that they continue to reveal the urban and religious history of Pompeiopolis in a more holistic way with excavations, documentation and conservation works.
Minister Ersoy thanked the excavation committee and those who contributed to the work, especially the teams of the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage and Museums of the Ministry.
BASILICA REVEALS THE TRANSFORMATION FROM ROME TO LATE ANTIQUITY
Works on the Basilica, whose excavations started for the first time in 2025 in the Ancient City of Pompeiopolis, one of the important centers of the Paphlagonia Region during the Roman Imperial Period and the provincial capital, continue in 2026.
When the architectural features of the building, stratigraphic data and the findings unearthed during the excavations are evaluated together, the first construction phase of the Basilica dates back to A.D. The second half of the 2nd century, approximately A.D. It is estimated that it can be dated back to 150-160 BC. It is stated that the building underwent a significant architectural and functional transformation in later periods.
The Eros head found in the Pastophorion section of the building during the 2026 excavations was also dated to AD. It dates back to the second half of the 2nd century. The find provides new data about the artistic and cultural environment of Pompeiopolis during the Roman Imperial Period.
Pompeiopolis A.D. The fact that it became a bishopric center in the 5th century reveals the religious and administrative importance of the city in the Late Antiquity. The architectural arrangements, decorations and floor mosaics in the basilica also show that the next phase of the building is related to the Christianization process of the city and the period when it gained importance as a bishopric center.
A 105 SQUARE METER MOSAIC AREA WAS REVEALED
In the excavations carried out in the ancient city in 2026, especially in the central nave of the Basilica, A.D. Well-preserved floor mosaics consisting of different geometric patterns, dating back to the 4th century, were unearthed. Currently, an area of approximately 105 square meters has been unearthed.
The conservation work of the unearthed mosaics was completed and practices were carried out to preserve their current condition. However, the entire mosaic floor in the nave has not yet been revealed. Excavations to reveal the rest of the mosaics continue.
Studies in the Pompeiopolis Basilica reveal in more detail the architectural and functional transformation that the building underwent from the Roman Imperial Period to Late Antiquity. Data regarding the first construction phase, Eros's head, architectural elements from Late Antiquity and floor mosaics contribute to the understanding of the Basilica's place in the urban and religious history of Pompeiopolis.
With the ongoing excavation and conservation work, it is aimed to reveal the architectural plan of the building and its different phases of use in a more comprehensive manner, and to document and protect all of the mosaic floors.
