New Article on the Dig at Colossae

Colossae: A Biblical City of the Classical World

BHD interviews excavation director Barış Yener

Colossae is an ancient city in the Lycus Valley of western Turkey, near the modern town of Honaz and the ancient cities of Laodicea and Hierapolis. Together, the three cities form a distinct cluster of early Christian communities that appear repeatedly in Paul’s letters, for example in his letter to the Colossians. Herodotus describes Colossae as a great city in Phrygia, and Xenophon mentions it as large and prosperous. Despite its significance, Colossae remains one of the most under-excavated major sites in the New Testament world. Excavations are now underway under the direction of Barış Yener of Pamukkale University, bringing the promise of exciting finds from one of earliest Christianity’s most important communities.

Where is Colossae and why is it important?

Yener: Colossae is located in modern western Turkey, in the ancient region of western Phrygia, positioned along the natural corridor that connects the central Anatolian plateau with the Aegean coast. The site lies near modern Honaz in Denizli Province and is situated within the same cultural and geographical landscape as major archaeological centers such as Hierapolis, Laodicea, Tripolis, and Aphrodisias. This strategic location made Colossae an important urban settlement embedded in long-standing networks of cultural exchange and economic interaction from the eighth century BCE to the 15th century CE.

Phrygia was one of the major cultural and political landscapes of inland Anatolia during the early first millennium BCE. Its best-known center was Gordion, the capital of the Phrygian kingdom and the city associated with the historical and legendary figure of King Midas. Archaeological research at Gordion has revealed monumental architecture, elite tumulus burials, fortifications, and a distinctive material culture that demonstrates the political and economic strength of Phrygian society, especially during the eighth century BCE. Phrygia was also renowned for its rock-cut sanctuaries and religious traditions connected with the mother goddess Matar, later widely associated with Cybele. Within this broader Phrygian milieu, Colossae occupied an important position in the Lycus Valley, where routes, resources, and traditions from central Anatolia and the Aegean world intersected over many centuries.

Colossae’s significance today derives from its exceptional state of preservation and its almost completely unexplored archaeological character. Because no large classical temple or other monumental structure survives above ground, the city did not attract systematic archaeological investigation for many decades. Aerial and satellite imagery reveal that the urban area is unusually free of dense vegetation and modern construction. The buildings are not visible above ground, but the buried remains are relatively easy to detect and excavate, making Colossae an ideal site for comprehensive archaeological work.

A new research initiative began in 2021 with the Colossae Archaeological Survey, which focused on mapping, remote sensing, geophysical prospection, the study of surface finds, and the development of a long-term conservation strategy. Building on the results of this survey, we have now begun full-scale excavations, opening an entirely new phase of scientific investigation at a site that has remained untouched for millennia.

For these reasons, Colossae represents one of the most promising archaeological resources in Anatolia—an exceptionally preserved ancient city whose systematic exploration has only just begun, offering the potential to transform our understanding of western Phrygian cultural history.

Why has Colossae’s archaeology received so little attention?

Yener: Although interest in the site began in the early 19th century with the visits of European travelers, Colossae never developed into a sustained focus of archaeological research. For centuries the mound served largely as a convenient local quarry, and much of its stone was removed for construction, agriculture, or lime production. The studies that did take place—by William Calder in 1933, James Mellaart in the 1950s, Ebru Parman in the late 1990s, and the pottery survey of Duman and Konakçı in 2005—were all short, targeted inspections rather than comprehensive excavations.

In essence, Colossae was overshadowed by its neighbors. Archaeologists focused on the visually impressive centers of the Lycus Valley—Hierapolis, Laodicea, and Aphrodisias—where monumental architecture stands prominently above ground. Colossae, by contrast, presents no surviving classical temple, theater, or other large-scale structure to attract early attention. To many researchers, the site seemed unremarkable: a low, eroded mound without obvious architectural remains. As a result, Colossae remained on the periphery of academic interest despite its historical importance.

Why did you decide to begin excavating the site?

Yener: Precisely because it had been overlooked. Colossae represents one of the last major unexcavated ancient cities of western Anatolia, and this absence of prior disturbance provides an unparalleled scientific opportunity. Our survey work, begun in 2021, demonstrated that the site is exceptionally well preserved below the surface and largely untouched by modern construction. Remote sensing and detailed field observations revealed a dense pattern of subsurface structures, funerary zones, and extensive surface material that had never been documented systematically.

In addition, Colossae’s position in western Phrygia—a cultural borderland where Anatolian, Persian, Greek, Roman, Jewish, and early Christian traditions intersected—makes it uniquely valuable for understanding the social and religious history of the region. The chance to investigate a scientifically unexplored city mentioned in classical texts, Hellenistic geopolitical narratives, and New Testament writings, is extremely rare.

Our goal is to uncover the city’s urban layout, mortuary practices, and cultural dynamics and to integrate Colossae into the broader archaeological narrative of Anatolia, where it has long been absent.

What are some of the key research questions you’re hoping the excavations can address? What periods are you particularly interested in exploring?

Yener: Our excavation aims to answer several fundamental questions about the long-term history of Colossae, from its earliest occupation to its transformation in the Middle Ages. One of our priorities is to clarify the city’s beginnings. The presence of late Chalcolithic pottery indicates that the landscape was inhabited much earlier than expected. We hope to understand how Colossae emerged as a stable settlement in the late third millennium BCE and how it connected inland Phrygia with the coastal regions of western Anatolia.

We are also interested in the early Iron Age, when Colossae is described by Herodotus and Xenophon as one of Phrygia’s major cities. The archaeological evidence for this prominence has never been explored, and our work seeks to illuminate processes of identity formation in a region shaped by both Anatolian political traditions and the cultural movements associated with the so-called Ionian migration.

Another major focus is the Achaemenid period, during which Colossae stood on the route of imperial armies and directly within the conflict zone between Persia and the Greek world. Although textual sources highlight its importance, the material record remains largely unknown.

For the Roman and late antique periods, we are interested in reassessing the narrative of decline. Evidence suggests that civic life continued well into the imperial centuries, and the city’s role within the early Christian landscape of the Lycus Valley remains poorly understood. This includes the long-debated but still undiscovered Church of St. Michael, a structure central to later Byzantine tradition. Locating material traces of this shrine—whether in the ancient city or the medieval settlement above it—is one of the most intriguing goals of our project.

Finally, we aim to explain why the population ultimately abandoned the ancient city and relocated to the fortified hilltop of Chonai, a dramatic shift rarely examined archaeologically.

What has archaeology revealed about the Jewish and early Christian communities of Colossae?

Yener: The excavation is still in its very early stages. In 2025, our first season of fieldwork focused primarily on the northern necropolis, which we now understand to be a Roman-period cemetery. Because of this, the archaeological evidence for Jewish and early Christian communities at Colossae is still quite limited.

To answer this question with real precision, we will need to wait for the upcoming excavation seasons. As we begin to open larger areas of the ancient city—especially the urban center and the late antique/early Byzantine levels—we expect to uncover far more substantial information about the presence and activities of both communities. The groundwork has been laid, but the most decisive evidence will likely emerge in the next phases of the project.

What were some of the highlights of the first excavation season?

Yener: One of the most important achievements of our first excavation season was simply establishing a reliable archaeological framework for a site that had never been excavated before. We focused on the northern necropolis, and this work confirmed that the area contains an extensive Roman-period cemetery with multiple types of rock-cut tombs. Documenting these burial forms—some of which are quite unusual for the region—was a major highlight, as they offer valuable insights into local funerary practices and social structures.

Another significant result was the discovery of a surprisingly rich assemblage of small finds within the disturbed tombs, including amulets, inscribed stones, and objects associated with magical or protective traditions. These finds open new avenues for understanding beliefs, rituals, and social identities in the Roman community of Colossae.

How long do you plan to excavate the site? What are your hopes and plans for the site once the excavations conclude?

Yener: Excavations are, by their very nature, long-term undertakings. It is clear that no single scholar could hope to excavate the entirety of Colossae within a lifetime. Unless a completely new, revolutionary system of archaeological fieldwork is developed, the site will likely continue to be explored by archaeologists for centuries. Despite these challenges, we have taken the decisive step of initiating the project, and our plan is to conduct excavations for roughly six months each year—at least until I retire.

My broader hope is that, as the excavated areas expand, the site will gradually evolve into a meaningful and accessible archaeological park. I would like visitors to walk through the exposed remains, to sense the depth of the city’s past, and to form a genuine connection with the landscape and its history. This requires careful long-term planning, not only in terms of excavation strategy but also in conservation, interpretation, and visitor infrastructure.

Of course, all of this depends on sustaining the financial support necessary for such an ambitious project. If the excavation continues to receive the resources it needs, I believe Colossae has the potential to become both a major research center and a place where the public can engage deeply with the heritage of the Lycus Valley.

Editor’s Note: Bible History Daily appreciates the support of Dr. Mark Wilson of the Asia Minor Research Center for facilitating this interview with Professor Yener.