Kelenderis, an ancient port city in the mountainous Cilicia region, is located in the Aydıncık district of Mersin Province. Excavations began in 1986. The first phase of excavations, from 1986 to 2020, was conducted by Prof. Dr. K. Levent Zoroğlu. Each season lasted approximately 2-3 months, resulting in excavations in the eastern, western, and northern necropolises. The port baths and agora basilica were excavated and restored. The odeon and port mosaic were excavated in a second phase, but their completion was achieved later. Prof. Dr. K. Levent Zoroğlu has published numerous articles and a book titled "Kelenderis I" in 1994 concerning these studies.
Since 2021, excavations have been conducted by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mahmut Aydın, a faculty member of the Archaeology Department at Batman University, on behalf of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Batman University. As of 2021, excavation, conservation, and documentation work continued for 12 months. During the 2021-2025 excavation, conservation, documentation, and research period, the excavation of the odeon, the harbor mosaic, the medieval city wall, and the harbor structures was completed. Conservation work has been carried out on all the excavated areas. Furthermore, excavation and landscaping work on the acropolis has been initiated and is still ongoing.
"Kelenderis II: 2021-2025" is the second book on Kelenderis, covering the five years of work mentioned above. The book includes articles on the conservation work of the harbor mosaic, the odeon, and the medieval city wall; the mosaics and architecture of the basilica-plan church; and the conservation work of the harbor baths. It also contains articles on the results of archaeometric analyses of glass tesserae from the basilica-plan church, window panes from the odeon, and metal artifacts related to fishing. The excavation of the harbor structures, the seals recovered from these structures, the bull figurine, the Kelenderis Hecate, the Kelenderis coins, and the Serapis inscription are among the other research materials included in this book.
We would like to thank the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage and Museums, the Department of Excavations and Research, the Department of Heritage for the Future, and the Rectorate of Batman University for their support in every aspect of our excavation work conducted between 2021 and 2025.
The main economic supporter of our excavation and conservation work is undoubtedly the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. In addition to the Ministry, the Turkish Historical Society, Mersin Metropolitan Municipality, Aydıncık Municipality, and Batman University have provided financial support to our excavation, and have also contributed to the provision of personnel and materials. In addition to these institutions, we would also like to thank Takı Art LMT ŞTİ for their partial support in the printing of this book.
The final proofreading of the book was done by Assoc. Prof. Dr. We would like to thank Bilcan GÖKÇE and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Esra Kaçmaz LEVENT. Our final thanks go to our families who supported us throughout the excavation work and never left us alone when needed. We also extend our gratitude to Prof. Dr. K. Levent ZOROĞLU, who handed over the Kelenderis excavation to the new excavation director and never left us alone.
We hope this book, which covers the excavation, restoration, and research work from 2021-2025, will be of benefit to you.
Makaleler
Kelenderis Antik Kenti'nin Kısa Genel Tanıtımı
A Short General Introduction of Ke/enderis Ancient City
Doç. Dr. Mahmut AYDIN
Kelenderis (2000-2006) Arkeolojik Kazılarında Ele Geçen Odeon Cam Buluntuların Arkeometrik Yöntemlerle İncelenmesi
Analysis of Odeon G/ass Findings Unearthed from Kelenderis (2000-2006) Excavations by Archaeometric Methods
Sevda AYDIN - Mahmut AYDIN
Kelenderis'te Figüratif Plastik Sanatın Bir Örneği: Roma Dönemi Hayvan Figürini
An Example of Figurative Plastic Art in Kelenderis: Roman Period 1 Animal Figure
Remziye ERSOY - Doç. Dr. Esra KAÇMAZ LEVENT
Kelenderis Antik Kenti 2022 Yılı Liman Mozaiği Kazı ve
Konservasyon Çalışmaları
Kelenderis Ancient City 2022 Harbor Mosaic Excavation and Conservation Works
Doç. Dr. Mahmut AYDIN
Kelenderis Liman Yapıları: Çok Katmanlı Yapılaşma ve Ekonomik Faaliyetlerin İzleri
Kelenderis Harbour Buildings: Traces of Multi-Layered Structure and Economic Activities
Dr. İlkay GÖÇMEN - Murat ALKIŞ
Liman Hamamı Konservasyon ve Restorasyon Çalışmaları 2024
Harbor Bath Conservation and Restoration Works 2024
Doç. Dr. Mahmut AYDIN - Songül Geylan
Agora Bazilika Mozaik ve Mimarisinde 2022 Yılında YürütülenRestorasyon ve Konservasyon Çalışmaları
Restoration and Conservation Works Carried out in 2022 on The Mosaics and Architecture of The Agora Basilica
Doç. Dr. Mahmut AYDIN - Burcu Taş TANRIKULU
Kelenderis Antik Kenti / Odeion Yapısının Sağlamlaştırılması ve
Korunmasına Yönelik Uygulamalar
Kelenderis Ancient City / Practices Aimed Strengthening and Preserving The Odeion Structure
Doç. Dr. Mahmut AYDIN
Kelenderis Antik Kenti Balıkçılığının Arkeolojik Kalıntıları ve
Arkeometrik Değerlendirmeleri
Archaeological Remains and Archaeometric Assessments of Fishing in The Ancient City of Kelenderis
Doç. Dr. Mahmut AYDIN
Kelenderis Antik Kenti Bazilika Yapısında Ele Geçen Cam Tessera Örneklerinin Arkeometrik Yönden İncelenmesi
Archaeometric Investigation of G/ass Tesserae Samples Recovered from The Basilica Structure of The Ancient City of Kelenderis
Dr. Osman EKİNCİ - Doç. Dr. Mahmut AYDIN
Kilikya Bölgesi'nde Tapınaklar (Tykhe) ve Küçük Buluntular Işığında İnanç
Temples (Tykhe) and Sma/1 Finds in The Cilicia Region: Insights into Religion
Hacer DEĞİRMENCİ ÇELİK - Doç. Dr. Mahmut AYDIN
Kelenderis Liman Mozaiği ve Deprem İzleri
Kelenderis Horhor Mosaic and Earthquake Traces
Doç. Dr. Mahmut AYDIN
Kelenderis'te Helenistik Dönem Deniz Ticaretine Dair Yeni Veriler
New Insights lnto The Hellenistic Maritime Trade of Kelenderis
Doç. Dr. Erkan ALKAÇ - Dr. Gökmen ELMALI
Kelenderis'te Bulunan Bir Sarapis Adak Yazıtı Işığında Dağlık Kilikya'da Ptolemaios Egemenliği ve Mısır Kilitlerinin Yansımaları
In The Light of an Offering Inscription Dedicated to Sarapis in Ke/enderis Ptolemaic Rule and The Reflexion of Egyption Gods in Rough Cilicia
Prof. Dr. Mustafa Hamdi SAYAR
Klasik Dönem Sikkeleri Işığında Kelenderis'in Değerlendirilmesi.
An Evaluation of Kelenderis in Light of Classica/ Period Coins
Hüseyin ADIBELLİ
Kelenderis Hekate'si
Hekate of Ke/enderis
Doç. Dr. Işık ADAK ADIBELLİ - Doç.Dr.Mahmut AYDIN
Kelenderis, an ancient port city in the mountainous Cilicia region, is located in the Aydıncık district of Mersin Province. Excavations began in 1986. The first phase of excavations, from 1986 to 2020, was conducted by Prof. Dr. K. Levent Zoroğlu. Each season lasted approximately 2-3 months, resulting in excavations in the eastern, western, and northern necropolises. The port baths and agora basilica were excavated and restored. The odeon and port mosaic were excavated in a second phase, but their completion was achieved later. Prof. Dr. K. Levent Zoroğlu has published numerous articles and a book titled "Kelenderis I" in 1994 concerning these studies.
Since 2021, excavations have been conducted by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mahmut Aydın, a faculty member of the Archaeology Department at Batman University, on behalf of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Batman University. As of 2021, excavation, conservation, and documentation work continued for 12 months. During the 2021-2025 excavation, conservation, documentation, and research period, the excavation of the odeon, the harbor mosaic, the medieval city wall, and the harbor structures was completed. Conservation work has been carried out on all the excavated areas. Furthermore, excavation and landscaping work on the acropolis has been initiated and is still ongoing.
"Kelenderis II: 2021-2025" is the second book on Kelenderis, covering the five years of work mentioned above. The book includes articles on the conservation work of the harbor mosaic, the odeon, and the medieval city wall; the mosaics and architecture of the basilica-plan church; and the conservation work of the harbor baths. It also contains articles on the results of archaeometric analyses of glass tesserae from the basilica-plan church, window panes from the odeon, and metal artifacts related to fishing. The excavation of the harbor structures, the seals recovered from these structures, the bull figurine, the Kelenderis Hecate, the Kelenderis coins, and the Serapis inscription are among the other research materials included in this book.
We would like to thank the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage and Museums, the Department of Excavations and Research, the Department of Heritage for the Future, and the Rectorate of Batman University for their support in every aspect of our excavation work conducted between 2021 and 2025.
The main economic supporter of our excavation and conservation work is undoubtedly the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. In addition to the Ministry, the Turkish Historical Society, Mersin Metropolitan Municipality, Aydıncık Municipality, and Batman University have provided financial support to our excavation, and have also contributed to the provision of personnel and materials. In addition to these institutions, we would also like to thank Takı Art LMT ŞTİ for their partial support in the printing of this book.
The final proofreading of the book was done by Assoc. Prof. Dr. We would like to thank Bilcan GÖKÇE and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Esra Kaçmaz LEVENT. Our final thanks go to our families who supported us throughout the excavation work and never left us alone when needed. We also extend our gratitude to Prof. Dr. K. Levent ZOROĞLU, who handed over the Kelenderis excavation to the new excavation director and never left us alone.
We hope this book, which covers the excavation, restoration, and research work from 2021-2025, will be of benefit to you.
Makaleler
Kelenderis Antik Kenti'nin Kısa Genel Tanıtımı
A Short General Introduction of Ke/enderis Ancient City
Doç. Dr. Mahmut AYDIN
Kelenderis (2000-2006) Arkeolojik Kazılarında Ele Geçen Odeon Cam Buluntuların Arkeometrik Yöntemlerle İncelenmesi
Analysis of Odeon G/ass Findings Unearthed from Kelenderis (2000-2006) Excavations by Archaeometric Methods
Sevda AYDIN - Mahmut AYDIN
Kelenderis'te Figüratif Plastik Sanatın Bir Örneği: Roma Dönemi Hayvan Figürini
An Example of Figurative Plastic Art in Kelenderis: Roman Period 1 Animal Figure
Remziye ERSOY - Doç. Dr. Esra KAÇMAZ LEVENT
Kelenderis Antik Kenti 2022 Yılı Liman Mozaiği Kazı ve
Konservasyon Çalışmaları
Kelenderis Ancient City 2022 Harbor Mosaic Excavation and Conservation Works
Doç. Dr. Mahmut AYDIN
Kelenderis Liman Yapıları: Çok Katmanlı Yapılaşma ve Ekonomik Faaliyetlerin İzleri
Kelenderis Harbour Buildings: Traces of Multi-Layered Structure and Economic Activities
Dr. İlkay GÖÇMEN - Murat ALKIŞ
Liman Hamamı Konservasyon ve Restorasyon Çalışmaları 2024
Harbor Bath Conservation and Restoration Works 2024
Doç. Dr. Mahmut AYDIN - Songül Geylan
Agora Bazilika Mozaik ve Mimarisinde 2022 Yılında YürütülenRestorasyon ve Konservasyon Çalışmaları
Restoration and Conservation Works Carried out in 2022 on The Mosaics and Architecture of The Agora Basilica
Doç. Dr. Mahmut AYDIN - Burcu Taş TANRIKULU
Kelenderis Antik Kenti / Odeion Yapısının Sağlamlaştırılması ve
Korunmasına Yönelik Uygulamalar
Kelenderis Ancient City / Practices Aimed Strengthening and Preserving The Odeion Structure
Doç. Dr. Mahmut AYDIN
Kelenderis Antik Kenti Balıkçılığının Arkeolojik Kalıntıları ve
Arkeometrik Değerlendirmeleri
Archaeological Remains and Archaeometric Assessments of Fishing in The Ancient City of Kelenderis
Doç. Dr. Mahmut AYDIN
Kelenderis Antik Kenti Bazilika Yapısında Ele Geçen Cam Tessera Örneklerinin Arkeometrik Yönden İncelenmesi
Archaeometric Investigation of G/ass Tesserae Samples Recovered from The Basilica Structure of The Ancient City of Kelenderis
Dr. Osman EKİNCİ - Doç. Dr. Mahmut AYDIN
Kilikya Bölgesi'nde Tapınaklar (Tykhe) ve Küçük Buluntular Işığında İnanç
Temples (Tykhe) and Sma/1 Finds in The Cilicia Region: Insights into Religion
Hacer DEĞİRMENCİ ÇELİK - Doç. Dr. Mahmut AYDIN
Kelenderis Liman Mozaiği ve Deprem İzleri
Kelenderis Horhor Mosaic and Earthquake Traces
Doç. Dr. Mahmut AYDIN
Kelenderis'te Helenistik Dönem Deniz Ticaretine Dair Yeni Veriler
New Insights lnto The Hellenistic Maritime Trade of Kelenderis
Doç. Dr. Erkan ALKAÇ - Dr. Gökmen ELMALI
Kelenderis'te Bulunan Bir Sarapis Adak Yazıtı Işığında Dağlık Kilikya'da Ptolemaios Egemenliği ve Mısır Kilitlerinin Yansımaları
In The Light of an Offering Inscription Dedicated to Sarapis in Ke/enderis Ptolemaic Rule and The Reflexion of Egyption Gods in Rough Cilicia
Prof. Dr. Mustafa Hamdi SAYAR
Klasik Dönem Sikkeleri Işığında Kelenderis'in Değerlendirilmesi.
An Evaluation of Kelenderis in Light of Classica/ Period Coins
Hüseyin ADIBELLİ
Kelenderis Hekate'si
Hekate of Ke/enderis
Doç. Dr. Işık ADAK ADIBELLİ - Doç.Dr.Mahmut AYDIN