After Seven Decades of Excavation, Sardis Included in UNESCO World Heritage List

June 25, Washington. After nearly seven decades of continuous excavation and exploration, the ancient historic city of Sardis, located in western Turkey, has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The ‘Harvard-Cornell Exploration of Ancient Sardis,’ initiated in 1958 under the joint leadership of Harvard and Cornell universities, is one of the longest-running archaeological projects in the world. This historic achievement reaffirms the importance of decades-long research and sustained archaeological efforts, adding a new chapter to historical scholarship.

The city of Sardis, over 2,500 years old, bears witness to the rise and fall of the Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman empires. Despite changes in rulers across various historical periods, excavation work here has continued uninterrupted for decades. According to Benjamin Anderson, Associate Professor of Art History and Visual Studies at Cornell University, this long-term project has created a solid and significant database for understanding history.

Although ancient sources mention Sardis extensively, it is only through archaeological discoveries made in the last 75 years that this history has been brought to life with physical evidence. Sardis, the capital of the Iron Age Lydian Kingdom, was strategically located between the Mediterranean Sea and the Anatolian plateau, serving as a bridge connecting Eastern and Western cultures. The Lydians are credited with inventing the world’s first coin, and their King Croesus is historically renowned for his immense wealth.

This archaeological site also represents a significant milestone in the history of American archaeology. Early excavations at the beginning of the 20th century uncovered the historic ‘Temple of Artemis’ and burial sites; however, many artifacts were damaged or illegally transported to the United States. Among these, a massive column is still displayed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

Currently, the preservation of Sardis’ ancient burial sites and treasures faces major challenges due to natural decay, modern agriculture, explosives, and industrial treasure hunters using bulldozers. UNESCO’s conservation policies are expected to play a critical role in protecting this invaluable heritage.