In northwestern Turkey, archaeologists have uncovered the remains of a 2,200-year-old Roman fountain at the ancient site of Assos, as reported on Monday. This discovery marks a significant find, as noted by Nurettin Arslan, the head of the excavation team and a professor at Onsekiz Mart University in Çanakkale. Arslan highlighted that while many cisterns have been found in Assos, this is the first monumental fountain structure unearthed, making it an important contribution to the understanding of urban architecture from the Roman era.

The fountain was located in front of Roman-era cisterns that are being investigated by the current team of 30, which includes scientists and academics from Germany. Despite having suffered considerable damage during the Byzantine period, efforts are underway to re-erect the remaining parts of the fountain to better illustrate its original appearance for visitors.

Assos, also known as Behramkale, was a prominent port city during the Roman period and remains a key cultural heritage site. It features an ancient theater, agora, necropolis, and protective walls. The site, located about 17 kilometers south of modern Ayvacık, was added to UNESCO’s Tentative World Heritage List on April 15, 2017. Excavations at Assos have been ongoing since 1981.