Ancient road in Tarsus, Roman road in Tarsus, Turkey.
The ancient road in Tarsus is a Roman-era thoroughfare built with solid basalt stone construction and an underground drainage network beneath the surface. The roadway extends several hundred meters and shows the sturdy building methods typical of Roman trade routes, with support bases lining both sides.
The road was uncovered during construction work in 1993 and dates to the 1st century, when it served as part of Rome's trade network. The discovery reveals that Tarsus was a key junction for moving goods between different regions of the empire.
The road exemplifies Roman engineering methods with its polygonal technique and includes stylobates on both sides for supporting columns along the pathway.
The site is protected by metal mesh panels to preserve the archaeological remains and is easily reached from the historic Cleopatra Gate in central Tarsus. Visitors should wear sturdy footwear and walk carefully on the uneven surfaces.
The drainage system beneath the road was engineered with careful attention to moving water away from the surface. This technical approach shows that Roman engineers in Anatolia had already mastered sophisticated methods for managing water on major roads.
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