Öküzlü

Öküzlü is an archaeological site in Mersin Province, Turkey.

Öküzlü
Basilica at Öküzlü
Shown within Turkey
LocationErdemli, Mersin Province, Turkey
RegionCilicia Trachea
Coordinates36°34′N 34°10′E
TypeSettlement
Site notes
ConditionIn ruins

Geography

Öküzlü (Öküzlüklü) is situated in the rural area of Erdemli district which is rich in archaeological ruins. It is close to Batısandal village at about 36°33′59″N 34°9′39″E. There are many ruins around Öküzlü . Kanlıdivane and Elaiussa Sebaste are to the south, Emirzeli is to the west, Tapureli ruins are to the north of Öküzlü. Highway distance to the coastal town of Ayaş on Turkish state highway D.400 is 12 kilometres (7.5 mi).[1] Öküzlü is also accessible from Limonlu (Lamos of the antiquity). Its distance to Erdemli is 30 kilometres (19 mi) and to Mersin is 67 kilometres (42 mi).

History

The original name of the site is not known. Turkish name Öküzlü (literally "with ox") refers to reliefs of oxen on column heads (now in Mersin Museum). Archaeological evidence from masonry imply that the site can be backdated to Hellenistic era. It was however reconstructed in the 5th or 6th centuries, i.e., early Byzantine era.

The ruins
Öküzlü

The house ruins in the north of the site are examples of the polygonal and Byzantine masonry. One house is a peristyle house. The foundations of some buildings are carved rock. There are sarcophagi along the road. At the center of the site there are ruins of a basilica. The basilica with three naves and a transept is backdated to about 500. There is a smaller church situated about 500 metres (1,600 ft) south of the basilica.[2]

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References
  1. Ministry of Tourism page (in Turkish)
  2. Mersin Valiliği: Mersin Ören yerleri, Kaleleri, Müzeleri, İstanbul, 2009, ISBN 978-605-4196-07-4, p 166-167
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