Öküzlü ruins, Archaeological site in Erdemli, Turkey
Öküzlü ruins are an archaeological site in the hills near Erdemli at 523 meters elevation. The remains show house foundations, sarcophagi lining pathways, and two churches including a larger basilica with three naves.
The settlement began in the Hellenistic period and flourished during the early Byzantine era in the 5th and 6th centuries. The basilica and religious buildings from this time show the site's importance as a local center.
The three-nave basilica shows how people built religious spaces during the Byzantine period. Ox reliefs carved into column heads reflect the local craftsmanship and daily life of the community.
The site is accessible via Turkish state highway D.400, about 12 kilometers from Ayaş. Visitors should expect uneven terrain and paths between ruins, so comfortable walking shoes are helpful.
The site's name comes from ox reliefs discovered on column heads at this location. These carvings are now displayed at the Mersin Museum and reveal the artistic skill of the ancient inhabitants.
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