International Research Grant Brings Syedra Ancient City’s Theater into the Global Archaeological Spotlight

A major international academic partnership has elevated archaeological research at Syedra, as a joint Turkish–French project led by Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University receives competitive bilateral funding under the Bosphorus Programme.
The project is notably the first international bilateral research initiative in the university’s history—marking a milestone for both the institution and the archaeological study of southern Anatolia.

A Franco-Turkish focus on Syedra’s ancient theater

The funded project, titled “Syedra in Cilicia (Seki, Alanya, Antalya): An Ancient City and Its Theater,” is jointly coordinated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hasan Ertuğ Ergürer of ALKÜ and Dr. Jeanne Capelle of École Normale Supérieure PSL.
Selected among only eight projects nationwide, the research is supported by TÜBİTAK in collaboration with the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.

At its core lies a detailed investigation of Syedra’s theater—an architectural and social landmark of the ancient city. Fieldwork combines excavation data, architectural analysis, and contextual study, aiming to situate the theater within the broader evolution of urban life in Roman-period Cilicia.

Multidisciplinary archaeology with long-term goals

Excavations at Syedra continue under permits and support from Türkiye’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism, with recent seasons integrated into the national “Heritage for the Future” framework. This has enabled a multidisciplinary research model, bringing together specialists from Türkiye and abroad.

Beyond architecture, the project expands into environmental and epigraphic research. Planned studies include archaeobotanical analyses—such as pollen and seed remains—to reconstruct the ancient landscape, alongside new examinations of Greek inscriptions linked to the city’s civic and cultural life.
All findings are expected to culminate in a comprehensive academic volume dedicated to Syedra’s theater and its historical phases of use.

Academic visibility and cultural impact

ALKÜ Rector Prof. Dr. Kenan Ahmet Türkdoğan described the international recognition as a turning point, emphasizing that Syedra is steadily emerging as a focal point for both scholarship and cultural tourism in Alanya. He underlined that sustained excavation and research will strengthen the city’s visibility on the global archaeological map.

The Bosphorus Programme also supports collaborative projects led by major Turkish institutions, including Istanbul University, Middle East Technical University, İzmir Institute of Technology, and Sabancı University—placing the Syedra project within a highly selective academic network.

Syedra under international scholarly attention

With the partnership between ALKÜ and ENS-PSL now formally underway, Syedra’s archaeological record—particularly its theater—will be examined through a broader comparative and methodological lens.
As results begin to circulate through publications and conferences, the ancient city is set to gain renewed prominence, not only as a regional heritage site, but as a case study in Mediterranean urban and theatrical traditions.