Excavations at largest ancient stadium in Anatolia

The largest stadium in Anatolia (Turkey), in the city of Denizli, has been discovered for over 13 years. Scientists believe that many interesting finds will soon be discovered.

The stadium called Laodicea was a place where sports competitions (Olympic style) and gladiator fights took place. During more than 10 years of excavations, almost 4,000 objects were excavated from the ground, including many stone plaques that prove how many sporting events took place at the stadium. One inscription mentions how one athlete won five times in a row in his discipline.

The stadium was 285 meters long and 70 meters high. To the south of the building was a complex of baths, which were one of the largest in Anatolia.

The excavations at the stadium are part of a larger project that also includes renovation work on the column road adjacent to the stadium, including modelling of collapsed columns.