Assos, an ancient city located in western Turkey’s Çanakkale province, continues to enthrall archaeologists with its rich history. Recent excavations at the site, once home to renowned thinkers of the ancient world, have unearthed fascinating artifacts that shed light on the daily lives and culinary practices of the Roman inhabitants, alongside tantalizing clues about much earlier human presence in the region.
The ongoing project, led by Professor Nurettin Arslan of Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, has uncovered a treasure trove of Roman-era kitchenware, including earthen grills, pots, pans, and mixing vessels. Dating back roughly 1650 years, these finds offer a glimpse into the food culture and cooking techniques employed by the Romans who called Assos home.
Professor Arslan explains the significance of these discoveries: “The finds provide information about the lifestyle and culinary culture of the period. We can see that people primarily ate boiled or grilled food, and these utensils showcase the tools they used in their kitchens.”
The excavation efforts haven’t been limited to the Roman period. Notably, a separate survey conducted near the Biber Stream, south of the Assos ruins, yielded even older artifacts – stone tools estimated to be around 300,000 years old. These tools, believed to be from the Lower and Middle Paleolithic periods, hint at human activity in the region far earlier than previously documented.
“These stone tools are an important finding regarding the existence of life in this region in the early ages,” Professor Arslan remarks. Further investigation by Paleolithic specialists is planned to delve deeper into this exciting discovery.
The ongoing excavations at Assos paint a vivid picture of the city’s layered history. From the ingenious culinary practices of the Romans to the traces of early human settlements, Assos continues to surprise and challenge our understanding of the past. As Professor Arslan and his team meticulously unearth new layers, we can expect even more fascinating revelations about this captivating ancient city.