After months of drought, the lowered water levels at the Bayramiç Dam in Çanakkale have revealed the ruins of a 1,500-year-old church and bathhouse from the ancient Greek city of Scepsis.
The remaining ruins of the city of Scepsis in the heart of the dried-up lake. (Photo: Newsweek)
For the past 30 years, the city of Scepsis has been submerged under the water level of the dam. This city is at least 2,500 years old and was built in the region of Anatolia, later known as Asia Minor. Scepsis flourished during the 4th and 5th centuries, in the Eastern Roman period. Archaeologists believe that the church and bathhouse were also constructed during this era.
“The structure of the bathhouse is one of the rare structures we know of, especially from the Eastern Roman period. The building is significant due to its decorative features,” Newsweek reported on November 29, quoting researcher Oğuz Koçyiğit from Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University. “It provides us with information about architecture, construction techniques, and bathing traditions of that time.”
To explore the history of the city, the research team began excavating the cemetery. According to Koçyiğit, Scepsis, also known as Skepsis, was also home to the famous library of Aristotle for two centuries.
The Bayramiç Dam in Çanakkale was built in the late 21st century to support agriculture and local industrial facilities. “Due to the demand in the region, the reservoir of the dam needs to store water, which is why ancient structures remain submerged,” Koçyiğit stated. “However, due to the lack of rain, the current water level in the dam is only about 10% of its maximum capacity. Turkey is one of many countries experiencing severe drought due to an unusually hot summer.”
Across the globe, receding water levels have uncovered many lost treasures, from dinosaur footprints on the riverbed of the Paluxy in Texas, USA, to prehistoric stone circles on the outskirts of Spain. While these discoveries are historically fascinating, the scale of drought in these areas threatens food production and water security. As global temperatures continue to rise, experts predict that the drought situation will worsen.
