Founded as a port city on the Pamphylian coast, Side has been a subject of interest since the 19th century, first for travelers and then for researchers. The excavation work initiated by Arif Müfid Mansel in 1947 marked a milestone in Side studies. During these excavations, many structures such as the Temple of Athena and Apollo, the AA Basilica, the Theater, the Agora, the Agora Bath, and the Eastern Gate were uncovered, allowing for the first findings related to the city’s settlement history.

In 2014, a new era in Side research began with the declaration of the old village center as an Urban and III. Degree Archaeological Site. Since 2014, excavation work has been conducted on approximately 140 plots, initially by the Side Museum Directorate and later by the Side Excavation Directorate starting from 2019. This effort has allowed for the identification of the city’s settlement history from the 7th century BC to the present day. Many significant structures such as the Harbor Agora, Harbor Customs Building, important sacred areas, main streets, and side streets of the city have been unearthed.

While excavations and research in the Urban and III. Degree Archaeological Site area continued at full pace, conservation and restoration efforts were initiated immediately. In November 2022, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism initiated excavation, conservation-restoration, and environmental improvement projects in approximately 20 different locations within the city of Side, marking a highly significant phase in Side research. Restoration work on monumental structures such as the Monumental Fountain and the Temple of Athena was resumed, and preservation and restoration activities were carried out in many monumental structures, including the city’s main streets, the ‘M’ structure, and the Agora. Particularly, excavations conducted in the Monumental Fountain and Temples Area have yielded highly important results related to the city’s settlement history.

The aim of this conference is to comprehensively evaluate the results of excavations and research conducted in the city between 2014 and 2023 within the context of Side’s settlement history.

 

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