Urbanistic Development of Limyra in the Hellenistic Period

The project Urban Development of Limyra in the Hellenistic Period undertaken by the Austrian Archaeological Institute (ÖAI), pursues the extent, the structure and the urban image of the east Lycian city of Limyra, Turkey, from the time of Ptolemaic rule until the early imperial period, in their historical context. In comparison with the classical period the knowledge of the urban development of Limyra, particularly during the Hellenistic epoch, is scant. This situation, however, corresponds to the findings in other important cities of Lycia such as Xanthos and Patara. Based on preliminary research, which already has revealed initial insights into the essential questions the fieldwork of the project using both non-invasive (geophysics, projects focussing on spolia) and invasive (geoarchaeology, excavation) methods will provide an overview of the total inventory of monuments and an understanding of their orientation. Moreover, crucial knowledge regarding the dating of arms of the Limyros river, newly created in the course of the history of the city, should be obtained, as well as their apparent impact on the urban development. Several focussed trenches of small scale will serve to identify the city borders, the characteristics and dating of the Hellenistic development, as well as the acquisition of information regarding the abandonment of the unified orientation which probably occurred in the early imperial period. The comparisonof the archaeological results in Limyra with other cities of Lycia, for example Patara or Xanthos, will provide essential information regarding architectural politics in this region as well as the architectonic activities along the south-west coast of Asia Minor of the concerning eras. The results to be expected will be be regarded within the context of the achievements of archaeological fieldwork in other regions of Asia Minor.

Abstract PR English The project "Urban Development of Limyra in the Hellenistic Period" undertaken by the Austrian Archaeological Institute (ÖAI), pursues the extent, the structure and the urban image of the east Lycian city of Limyra, Turkey, from the time of Ptolemaic rule until the early imperial period, in their historical context. In comparison with the classical period the knowledge of the urban development of Limyra, particularly during the Hellenistic epoch, is scant. This situation, however, corresponds to the findings in other important cities of Lycia such as Xanthos and Patara. Based on preliminary research, which already has revealed initial insights into the essential questions the fieldwork of the project using both "non-invasive" (geophysics, projects focussing on spolia) and "invasive" (geoarchaeology, excavation) methods will provide an overview of the total inventory of monuments and an understanding of their orientation. Moreover, crucial knowledge regarding the dating of arms of the Limyros river, newly created in the course of the history of the city, should be obtained, as well as their apparent impact on the urban development. Several focussed trenches of small scale will serve to identify the city borders, the characteristics and dating of the Hellenistic development, as well as the acquisition of information regarding the abandonment of the unified orientation which probably occurred in the early imperial period. The comparisonof the archaeological results in Limyra with other cities of Lycia, for example Patara or Xanthos, will provide essential information regarding architectural politics in this region as well as the architectonic activities along the south-west coast of Asia Minor of the concerning eras. The results to be expected will be be regarded within the context of the achievements of archaeological fieldwork in other regions of Asia Minor.