The excavations, which started in 2006 in Pompeiopolis, the capital of the historical Paphlagonia region in the Zımbıllı Tepe location, were carried out by Karabük University Faculty of Letters Archeology Department Lecturer Assoc. Prof. on behalf of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Dr. It is carried out under the chairmanship of Mevlüt Eliuşuk.
The area of the approximately 105 square meter mosaic, which was unearthed by the excavation team in the basilica in September, was enlarged to approximately 120 square meters. While the restoration and conservation work of the mosaics was continuing, the head of Eros was also found in the area.
Taşköprü Mayor Hüseyin Arslan, in his statement to journalists, stated that statues, statue heads, coins and various archaeological artifacts have been unearthed in the ancient city so far.
Explaining that the mosaics provide important data regarding the history of the region, Arslan said:
"We are planning to accelerate and complete the restoration work on the theater next year, in line with the evaluations we made with our excavation leader Mevlüt Hodja. In addition, excavations will continue in the areas where the unearthed works are found. Because there are more of these mosaics, we plan to unearth them. We continue our work to turn this place into a ruins as soon as possible by concentrating on the restoration works and connecting the walking path route with the villa. It would be very wrong to express the time period in archaeological excavations. This is a process that is completely slow and requires very careful work. Therefore, on this date "It is not right to say that it will be completed. We want it to be completed as soon as possible. However, the issue does not end with the unearthing of the works. This requires funding and time. Therefore, we want it to be completed as soon as possible."
Arslan stated that significant progress has been made in the excavations with the sponsorship of Akasya Maden, and noted that the process of opening the ancient city to visitors could be accelerated if the financial support is increased.
Arslan stated that the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Kastamonu Governorship, Taşköprü District Governorate and Taşköprü Municipality also supported the work.
"We aim to reveal the continuation of the mosaics in 2027"
Deputy head of excavations, Ahmet Yasin Ekinci, said that the work carried out in the basilica and Roman villa has gained momentum in the last two years.
Stating that they identified the foundation walls of the building in the basilica in 2025, Ekinci stated that they completely revealed the plan of the building in the 2026 excavation season.
Explaining that the building had two different phases dating back to the mid-2nd century and the 4th century AD, Ekinci said:
"We detected a mosaic area of approximately 120 square meters in the middle and eastern naves of the building, which displays a three-nave basilica plan. Our restoration and conservation work continues in these areas. We also found an Eros head in the eastern part of the building. It is important to protect the works as much as revealing them. For this reason, we covered the building with a temporary roof system."
Expressing that the excavation work will continue, Ekinci stated that they aim to bring the unearthed works to visitors and said, "We plan to open the rest of the mosaics in the 2027 excavation season. By exhibiting the mosaics, we aim to bring this place to tourism and gain the status of a ruin. We also plan to cover the structure with a completely permanent roof system within the 2027 season. We also plan to create walking routes in this context. We thank Kastamonu Governorship for their support." he said.
Expressing that it is aimed to create a promotion center in the ancient city within the scope of the project supported by the North Anatolian Development Agency (KUZKA), Ekinci noted that visitor routes will be created between the theater, odeon and Roman residence.
