Ankara Roman Theatre excavation site
The theatre is located on the Northwest cliff of the Ankara Castle. The theatre which is built as a typical Roman theatre with half circle shaped stage( orchestra) place and at least diazomas is dated I and II century A. C. The orchestra of the theatre which was believed to have been subjected to double staged restoration during the Byzantine Era, was transformed into a pool which was used to stage water games during this period. The statue works found during the excavations revealed that the theatre had a rich ornamentation. Among the findings from the theatre were the marble statues, statue heads, ceramic pieces belonging to Roman and Byzantine periods, glazed green and yellow plates, bowls and pots belonging to late Byzantine and Islamic period and various kinds of lamps and coins belonging to varioous different periods.
Other Centers
The Bitik Tumulus located 42 kilometers North of Ankara is among the historical sites of the city. A classical era settlement founded in the 5th Century B. C. was unearthed. Old Bronze Era remains found in the region proves the relation of the region with the Eastern and Western Anatolia. The Hittite Hill located 5 kilometers
North of Ankara, near the Çubuk River was excavated in 1937 and ancient Stone Age tools were found at the bottom layer. On the top of this layer, Bronze Age culture showing similarity with the Ahlatlıbel culture can be seen. Remains of a palace belonging to the Roman-Byzantine period were found at the top layer.
The importance of KaralarVillage is coming its being the scene of permanent settlement during the Classical Era. Remains belonging to a Galatina castle and works from Hellenistic period were found in the Asarkaya site of the villlage. Ancient coins unearthed during the excavations reveals the trade relations between Egypt and Syria. Stela found in one of the tumulus in the region was constructed in the honor of Galationa King Deotaros and his QueenBerenikis.
The KaraoğlanTumulus is 25 kilometers South of the city. Cultural layes which can be listed chronologically as Chalcolithic period, Bronze Age, Hittite, Phrygian, Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine Periods were found.
In addition to these, two tumuluses were found at the Beştepeler region during the construction work of Atatürk’ s final resting place and pottery and other tools belonging to the Phrygian civilization were excavated from these spots.
A circular single structure and terra-cotta works belongint to the Bronze Age were found at the Yumurtatepe Tumulus located on the left of the road leading to Çiftlik – Demetevler region.