THE CAESAREA GERMANICIA (?) OF ARCHEOGEOPHYSICAL INVESTIGATIONS

Abstract

The remains unearthed in the Dulkadiroğlu district, one of the central districts of Kahramanmaraş, are thought to belong to Caesarea Germanicia, which was founded in the Roman Period. Research and excavations carried out by the Kahramanmaraş Museum and us in the region have revealed that the spread of archaeological cultural remains is more than 150 hectares. Although the concentration of Roman Period cultural remains in the research and excavations was remarkable, the discovery of Byzantine, Seljuk, and Ottoman Period ceramic pieces indicates an uninterrupted settlement in the research area for centuries. However, as can be seen in the images, the dense residential texture in the region is one of the biggest obstacles to archaeological research and excavations. Because, in order to carry out archaeological excavations of the identified structures, expropriations are required. However, the expropriation period covers an average of 2-4 years, which makes it difficult to conduct scientific research. Archeogeophysical methods provide information about the location, depth, and dimensions of the archaeological remains by applying them from the surface, without causing any damage to the archaeological remains sought. In this context, Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) measurements were carried out to determine the quality of the mosaic-based structure on 445 layout, which were previously unearthed through illegal excavations in 2019, and the parcels on which it extends. GPR was carried out along 6 profiles. The obtained results were compared both with each other and with the existing surface conditions, and GPR depth maps were created. When the GPR depth sections were examined, 4 important reflections were found. It has been interpreted that 3 of these reflections belong to the archaeological building remains and 1 of them originates from a metal material (pipe). It was determined that the depth of the archaeological remains identified in the GPR sections started at a depth of approximately 20 cm. As a result of the excavation, it was seen that the reflections determined in the GPR sections belonged to the wall remains and metal pipe. As a result of archaeological excavations, it was determined that the GPR reflections belong to the remains of the walls of the Villa Rustica of the Early Byzantine Period or a Roman bath, as well as a metal pipe. In the measurements of the ground radar, it was determined that other walls cut the building walls in parallel. As a result of archaeological excavations, it was understood that these walls were made of rubble stone with mud additives. It was discovered during archaeological excavations and was discovered in the 11th-13th centuries AD. One of the ceramic fragments indicates that this structure was used again in the Middle Byzantine Period.