2,200-Year-Old Pantry and Kitchen Unearthed in Ancient City of Timbriada, Türkiye

Archaeologists excavating the ancient city of Timbriada in Isparta’s Aksu district have uncovered a pantry and kitchen complex dating back 2,200 years. The discovery, located near the city’s church, sheds light on food storage, agricultural practices, and religious life during Late Antiquity.

The excavation of the Timbriada Ancient City, founded on the slopes of Asartepe in the 2nd century BCE, continues to reveal traces of Pisidia’s vibrant past. A team led by Prof. Dr. Fikret Özcan from Süleyman Demirel University identified new structures near the church at the city’s center.

According to Özcan, sondages carried out west of the church exposed rooms that functioned partly as a pantry and partly as a kitchen:

“We discovered carbonized seeds and cereals. Even in their damaged state, they provide important information about nutrition, ecological adaptation, and the economy of the period. There is even the possibility of finding preserved ancient seeds in future studies,” he said.

Agricultural Heritage and Ancient Diet

The discovery of seeds and cereals is described as a rare and valuable contribution to the study of agricultural history and ancient diets. Scholars suggest these remains may also have significance for today’s agriculture, offering genetic diversity insights.

A City of Coins and Cults

Archaeological evidence indicates that Timbriada began minting coins in the 2nd century BCE. During the Roman Empire, the city became a member of the Panhellenion League, alongside Athens and Pergamon, linking it to a network of twelve important urban centers.

The sacred landscape of Timbriada was anchored by the Kybele (Meter) sanctuary near Zindan Cave, considered one of the most significant cultic centers in Pisidia. Coins from the city depict not only Kybele but also Zeus, Dionysos, Hermes, and the Dioscuri, reflecting a rich diversity of beliefs.

Timbriada retained its importance into Late Antiquity, when it became a bishopric center within the Christian ecclesiastical hierarchy.

Cover Image: Bahadır Arıcı/AA