Excavations stopped at ancient city in Turkey

KNIDOS RUINS, Turkey: The archaeological site of Knidos in Turkey was once a jewel of ancient Greek civilization — a major port that exported wine as far as India and Britain, the religious center of a confederacy of Greek cities, and site of a medical school that rivaled the legendary Hippocratic clinic.

Its crowning glory was a statue of Aphrodite, the goddess of love, by Athenian sculptor Piraxitelles — which attracted admirers from across the Mediterranean basin.

Archaeologists believe most of the city’s secrets lie hidden beneath the ground. But Turkey has suspended excavations — accusing the Turkish project leader of negligence leading to the collapse of a newly restored column.

Professor Ramazan Ozgan is now fighting a legal battle at the country’s highest administrative court to overturn the government’s cancellation of his almost 20-year-old excavation permit. The government also suspended excavations by the British Museum and Germany’s Freiburg University, which had been digging under Ozgan’s permit and leadership.

Excavations stopped at ancient city in Turkey – International Herald Tribune.