Flooded area of ancient Smyrna to become open-air museum

Dialogues between archaeologists and government officials are always difficult. That is nothing new, and the situation in Izmir is no exception.

After demolishing an old shopping center to construct a new one in 2016, historical remains were exposed requiring the attention of archaeologists. They discovered an ancient bath complex, a gymnasium, several shops and storage areas dating from the 2nd century AD. In fact, these buildings had been newly built after a major earthquake hit Smyrna in 177 AD.

[Picture from the Hurriyet Daily News]

The Greek orator and author, Publius Aelius Aristides Theodorus, in short Aristides had delivered a great speech just a year earlier that deeply impressed Emperor Marcus Aurelius who was visiting at the time. So, when Smyrna, as Izmir was known in antiquity was destroyed by the said earthquake, Aristides appealed to Marcus Aurelius. His plea was so impressive that enough imperial funds flowed into the reconstruction of the city. In thanks, the people of Smyrna erected a bronze statue of Aristides in the marketplace. It carried the worthy inscription “For his goodness and speeches”.

Thanks to Aristides, we have a perfect picture of Smyrna’s dazzling gymnasiums and many baths, its agoras, theaters, temple sanctuaries, and harbor area.

To save whatever remains of the ancient city, authorities agreed that the ruins should be preserved, but since 2018 the entire project is on hold because of a recurring problem with the groundwater.

As time passed, nothing was done to protect and secure the archaeological site. As a result, the groundwater kept rising, and excessive rainfall raised the water to an even higher level. It is clear that this water table causes physical, chemical and biological degradation of the exposed walls and floors. 

Instead of building a shopping mall, the construction company will now collaborate to protect the site and create an open-air archaeological area that should be completed in August 2020. Maybe we should put a question mark behind the date, I wonder?

Priority should be given to a drainage system to safeguard the site from any future flooding. The constructors have great ideas to cover the mosaic floors with glass panels and by doing so, to protect them from the weather conditions. Such glass panels can only be efficient as long as the groundwater problem is thoroughly solved. Let’s hope it will work out and that this part of Smyrna will soon be accessible for tourists.