There is a large expanse of farmland on the north-east coast of Küçükçekmece. This is an oasis in the proliferating forests of giant apartment blocks in other districts surrounding the lake and probably remains as it is because it is owned by various government institutions, especially the veterinary faculty of Istanbul University. This is slightly odd because the area operates as a grain farm and I saw no animals at all.
I am not sure whether or not I was allowed in. One has to go through two automated gates to enter the archaeological site (41.032913,28.734226). I went at harvest time. The gates were probably open to allow the monstrous combine harvesters in. On my way out, the gates were closed. I got out of the car to look at them and an unseen presence in the nearby buildings opened them for me.
It’s a big site and only partially excavated. A Scientific American article gives some detail. It seems to have thrived between the 4th and 11th centuries. An earthquake ended its importance. Its long sea wall is largely submerged, as are a lot of remains of the city. Bathonea is almost certainly not the correct name, although a more accurate candidate is yet to surface. At present, the site seems to be deserted except for the most enormous toads.
Categories: Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
July 1st, 2014 at 5:33 am
[…] Bathonea […]