The Ancient City of Amorium is an archaeological settlement located within the boundaries of Hisar Neighborhood of the town of Davulga, in the district of Emirdağ, Afyonkarahisar Province, Turkey. Situated in the region of Phrygia during Antiquity, Amorium is a significant settlement that bears the traces of seven different civilizations, from the Hittites to the Ottomans, and has witnessed approximately 4,000 years of uninterrupted habitation. The city is divided into two main sections: the Lower City and the Upper City. The remnants of fortification walls belonging to these areas are noteworthy in terms of reflecting Amorium's defensive architectural structure. The Upper City is situated on a mound, while the Lower City is spread across a wide, flat plain.

^{Ancient City of Amorium (Anadolu Agency)}

Historical Background

The fact that Amorium was one of the first cities granted the right to mint its own coins by the Roman Senate highlights its importance in Eastern Phrygia in the 1st century BCE. It is known that the city maintained this privilege during the reign of Roman Emperor Caracalla (211–217 CE). The period of large-scale reconstruction of the city occurred in the 5th and 6th centuries. During this time, Amorium stood out with its new public buildings and expanding boundaries. The fortification walls dating to the reign of Emperor Zeno (474–491) are among the examples of this restructuring.

Starting from the 7th century, Amorium became a military and strategic center as the capital of the Anatolikon Theme (an administrative province) of the Byzantine Empire. From this period onward, Arab-Islamic sieges of the city intensified. In particular, the siege carried out by Abbasid Caliph al-Mu'tasim in 838 CE caused major destruction in the city's history. In 931, Amorium was besieged again by the Emir of Tarsus, Semel ed-Dulefi; however, Byzantine control over the city persisted until the late 11th century. From 1116 onwards, Amorium came under the control of the Seljuks.

History of Excavation and Research

The first scientific archaeological research in Amorium began in 1987 under the leadership of Prof. Dr. R. Martin Harrison. These investigations continued until 1992 and were followed by excavations led by Dr. Chris Lightfoot from 1993 to 2009. In 2013, the excavations resumed under the presidency of the Afyonkarahisar Museum and the scientific consultancy of Prof. Dr. Zeliha Demirel Gökalp, a faculty member at Anadolu University. In 2014, with a decision by the Council of Ministers, Prof. Dr. Gökalp was appointed as the head of the excavation. The excavations are currently conducted with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Anadolu University, and the Turkish Historical Society. In 2020, the excavation project was granted year-round status and included within the scope of the “Heritage for the Future” initiative.

^{Excavation Works (Anadolu Agency)}

Excavation Areas and Notable Findings

Archaeological work in Amorium is focused on both the Upper City and the Lower City areas. Excavations conducted to date have unearthed a large basilica, a Byzantine bathhouse, grape pressing pools, granaries, glass and leather workshops, ceramic kilns, residences, and numerous coins, ceramics, glass, bone, and stone artifacts, as well as seals and inscriptions. Notable excavation areas that offer important insights into the city’s history include the “Large Building” and Late Roman–Early Byzantine structures in the Lower City, and “Basilica B” and the “Inner Wall” in the Upper City.

Excavations conducted in 2018 and 2019 in the Inner Wall area revealed settlement remains dating to the 16th–18th centuries from the Ottoman period. In 2024, a small bathhouse belonging to the Turkish-Islamic period was identified in the Inner Wall section of the Upper City, with preserved sections such as the furnace (külhan), firebox (cehennemlik), hot room, and warm room. The well-preserved structure and readable architectural plan provide significant evidence of the physical presence of the Seljuk and Beylik periods in the city.

^{Findings from the Amorium Excavation (Emirdağ District Governorship)}

Cultural Continuity and Notable Figures

Throughout history, Amorium has been an important center for both Christianity and Islam. The Phrygian Dynasty of Byzantium originated from this city, and three Byzantine emperors—Michael II (820–829), Theophilos (829–842), and Michael III (842–867)—were born here. Amorium is also considered the birthplace of Aesop, the pioneer of fable literature. According to Islamic sources, the city was one of the stops in the spiritual journey of Salman the Persian, who is said to have studied here for seven years before joining the Prophet Muhammad. Additionally, it is believed that Battal Gazi was martyred during the siege of Amorium in 838 CE.

Preservation, Exhibition, and Future Goals

One of the primary goals of the Amorium Excavation Team is to reveal the urban continuity from the Roman period to the Ottoman era and to preserve Amorium's historical heritage. Conservation, surveying, restitution, and restoration works on the archaeological finds are ongoing. With the contributions of Anadolu University, three-dimensional digital reconstructions of the city have been created, and virtual tour opportunities supported by VR technology have been developed. Moreover, a landscaping and visitor reception center project is nearing completion and is planned to be implemented in stages starting in 2025.