Invest Kahramanmaraş

Main Indicators of Kahramanmaraş Introduction Industry Main Sectors >Textile >Food >Metal Industry >Jewelry Agriculture Tourism Foreign Trade Energy Our Office	The Ancient City is Emerging Again Mosaics found during an illegal excavation in the southeastern province of Kahramanmaraş have led to the unearthing of an ancient city called Germenica, which remained underground for 1,500 years. The mosaics, found under a house in the Dulkadiroğulları neighborhood, are expected to shed light on the history of the city. The Roman-era city of Germanicia was unearthed by chance during an illegal excavation in the basement of a house. Preliminary examinations showed that the mosaics were high-quality contemporaries of those unearthed in the ancient cities of Zeugma and Yamaçevler. The first steps have been taken to completely unearth Germanicia and its mosaics, with houses in the area expropriated by the Culture Ministry. Archaeologists believe there are more remnants of the ancient city of Germenica, which is named after the father of Roman Emperor Caligula, in the Namık Kemal neighborhood in the foothills of Ahir Mountain. They believe the city was buried by landslides and avalanches caused by a severe earthquake. Research has shown the region likely featured as many as 100 villas with 15-20 rooms each. Excavation work on the newly unearthed mosaics so far has suggested they were likely floor decorations in one of those villas. Source: Hürriyet [December 27, 2010]