Archaeological excavations carried out this year at the ruins of the ancient castle of Beçin, one of the most important archaeological sites in the Aegean region of Turkey, have also led to progress in the restoration of the walls of this historic fortress dating from the Hellenistic period (after the death of Alexander the Great), which also prospered under Byzantine rule until it was conquered in the 13th century by the Turkmen peoples who invaded Anatolia after the victory of Manzikert.
Located in the Milas district of Muğla province, about 5 km from the modern Turkish town of Beçin, the area has been systematically excavated by archaeologists since 1972. In statements to Turkish media, Professor Kadir Pektaş, head of the excavations, explained that one of the Turkish beyliks or principalities of Anatolia, the Beylicate of Menteşe, chose the fortress of Beçin as its capital, being the burial place of the founder of this Turkish dynasty, Ahmet Gazi.
Pektaş pointed out that the history of Beçin dates back to 2,000 BC, although it was during the time of the Menteşe beylicate that it acquired its splendour. Now, the restoration of the walls aims to restore the site to its former glory and turn it into a tourist attraction. ‘Work on the ramparts started last year and is still going on. Currently, the restoration of the bastions at the entrance to the citadel has been completed, and a section of the castle walls has been recovered. Excavation work on the cistern at the entrance to the citadel will also be completed soon,’ he assured.
‘We will carry out the same restoration on other walls, step by step. When it is completed, tourists will be able to see how life went on here uninterruptedly from the Chalcolithic period until the 1950s. Currently part of the walls of Beçin Castle and two towers have been restored, but eight more towers will also be restored,’ the archaeologist announced.
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Pablo Gómez is a specialist in Turkey and has been editor-in-chief of Hispanatolia since 2011. He has been analysing current affairs and geopolitics in Turkey and the surrounding region since 2006.
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