Newly Unearthed “North Temple” in Blaundos Reveals Ancient City’s Religious Continuity

Archaeologists have uncovered a monumental temple in the ancient city of Blaundos (modern Ulubey, Uşak, Türkiye), shedding light on the city’s religious and cultural life across centuries. The newly revealed North Temple, believed to date back nearly 1,900 years, was constructed on a high podium and remained in use well into the Byzantine era, making it a key discovery in the ongoing excavations of this remote yet strategically significant city.

A Fortress City on the Edge of Cliffs

Founded in the 3rd century BCE by Macedonian soldiers during Alexander the Great’s campaign, Blaundos was strategically built on a natural plateau encircled by the dramatic cliffs of the Ulubey Canyon, accessible through a single fortified entrance. Its layout earned it the title of a “garrison city,” guarding vital routes between Lydia and Phrygia. Excavations at Blaundos have been ongoing since 2018 under the direction of the Uşak Museum Directorate, with support from Türkiye’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s Geleceğe Miras (Legacy for the Future) Project.

North Temple: Larger than the Demeter Sanctuary

The newly unearthed North Temple is located just 200 meters from the city’s main gate and sits atop a rectangular podium measuring 12 meters in length, 10 meters in width, and nearly 2 meters in height. Preliminary studies suggest the structure was larger than Blaundos’ celebrated Temple of Demeter, the city’s primary religious sanctuary dedicated to the goddess of agriculture and fertility.

“Unlike the Temple of Demeter, the North Temple shows evidence of extensive use during the Christian era, indicating the continuity of worship at this site,” said excavation director and Uşak Museum Director Şerif Söyler. He added that the temple’s architectural blocks, now heavily weathered and partially collapsed due to earthquakes, will undergo conservation and restoration following the excavation season.

Christian Symbols Point to Byzantine Reuse

Among the most striking finds are three marble blocks bearing carved crosses, dated to the 8th century CE. “These motifs clearly indicate that the temple remained in use as a Christian site during the Byzantine period, rather than being abandoned,” Söyler explained. The reuse of pagan temples as Christian sanctuaries was a common practice in Anatolia, reflecting both cultural adaptation and continuity.

A Glimpse into Blaundos’ Religious Landscape

Blaundos, located approximately 40 kilometers southwest of Uşak, was once a bustling Roman city complete with a stadium, theater, aqueducts, and temples. Archaeologists have focused recent seasons on uncovering the city’s central avenue, major public structures, and religious complexes. The discovery of the North Temple adds depth to Blaundos’ religious history, showing how its sacred spaces evolved from Roman pagan worship to Byzantine Christianity.

As restoration efforts continue, the North Temple is expected to become a focal point of the archaeological site, complementing the already famous Temple of Demeter and offering visitors a rare glimpse into nearly two millennia of Anatolian religious heritage.

Cover Image: Excavation team uncovering the 1,900-year-old North Temple in Blaundos Ancient City, Uşak Province, Türkiye. Photo: Uşak Museum Directorate. Credit: Mehmet Çalık/AA