In Stratonikeia, an ancient city famed as the "City of Gladiators," a significant archaeological discovery of nearly 1,900-year-old child footprints has been made, shedding light on the region's rich historical past. The footprints were uncovered in the remains of a Roman period bath, according to Professor Bilal Sogut, who leads the excavation team in the Yatagan district of Mugla province.
According to Philippines News Agency, speaking to Anadolu Agency, these footprints belonged to three different children aged between 2 and 3 years and were imprinted on bricks used in the vault of the bath's upper cover. The discovery was made during works in 2023, marking a milestone in the centennial year of the Turkish Republic. Sogut highlighted the uniqueness of this finding, as previous excavations in Stratonikeia had revealed different depictions on roof tiles and wall bricks, but never such footprints. He noted the footprints' varied directions, which adds to their historical significance.
Stratonikeia, listed on the UNESCO World Heritage temporary list, is known as one of the world's largest marble cities. Its historical significance spans the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine periods, as well as the Anatolian principalities, Ottoman, and Republic eras. Excavations in this ancient city began in 1977, continuously revealing important artifacts and contributing to the understanding of its historical legacy.