Excavations at Aizanoi Reveal New Finds in the 2,000-Year-Old Temple of Zeus

Archaeological work in the ancient city of Aizanoi in Çavdarhisar, Kütahya, has brought to light previously buried architectural remains of the world-famous Temple of Zeus. The excavations also uncovered Byzantine-era burials within the sanctuary’s grounds.

In western Türkiye’s Kütahya province, the ancient city of Aizanoi continues to yield new discoveries. Recent excavations around the iconic Temple of Zeus, one of the best-preserved Roman temples in the world, have revealed architectural elements that had long remained underground.

Professor Gökhan Coşkun, head of the excavation team and faculty member at Dumlupınar University, emphasized the exceptional survival of the monument:

“The Temple of Zeus has stood for nearly 2,000 years on its own. It is considered the best-preserved Zeus temple worldwide. Yet centuries of earthquakes and natural disasters have gradually damaged its structure, which is why restoration is now crucial.”

Construction of the temple began around AD 92 during the reign of Emperor Domitian and was completed in the first half of the 2nd century under Hadrian. In later centuries, the sanctuary was converted into a church during the Byzantine period and later fortified by the Çavdar Tatars in the 13th century.

During restoration excavations, archaeologists discovered that the temple stands on a podium measuring 55 by 35 meters and rising 3 meters high. Parapet blocks belonging to this massive platform were also unearthed.

One of the most striking finds lies in the temple’s southeast corner: 19 Byzantine-era graves, with the number expected to rise as work expands.

According to Prof. Coşkun, the temple owes its remarkable endurance to its substructure:

“Beneath the temple is a vaulted gallery known as a cryptoporticus. Remarkably, its stones remain in place exactly as they were built, forming an extraordinarily solid foundation for the entire monument.”

The jewel of the Phrygian Province: Ancient Aizanoi City

Located in the Çavdarhisar district of Kütahya today, Aizanoi was an important political and economic center of the Roman Empire’s Phrygian province. The city experienced significant growth, particularly in the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD, boasting impressive monuments such as the Temple of Zeus, a large theater-stadium complex, bridges, and baths. In 2012, Aizanoi was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List, highlighting its outstanding universal value.

Cover Photo: AA