The long-term goal of this project is to fundamentally further our understanding of all aspects of Rome’s Eastern frontier as well as the military history and strategic role of Zeugma and its surroundings. In particular, this includes the search for the hitherto undiscovered great fortress of legio IV Scythica, the investigation of Roman military installations in and around ancient Zeugma, as well as the detailed study of finds and sources that shed light on the history of the Roman army in this area. Combined with the archaeological and historical information from our project at ancient Satala, the results from Zeugma will lead to a great many new insights into the history of the Roman army, Roman foreign relations, the Roman Eastern frontier as well as into Zeugma’s local history.

 

Tile stamp of legio IV Scythica, At Meydani

 

Current results

Research in the field was preceded by a detailed study of all hitherto known sources concerning ancient Zeugma and its military history. A study of the local topography in 1996 as well as a detailed analysis of Russian satellite photographs followed by archaeological soundings in 1997 to 1999 led to the discovery of two large, overlapping Roman military camps. Both camps were constructed in part from dried mud bricks and partly from condensed mud and could be dated to the first century AD. Both camps were occupied for a very limited period of time only and were thus temporary camps. Their size, dating and short periods of occupation, as well as their location on the banks of the Euphrates next to the ancient city of Zeugma match what is to be expected of such camps as the one which was constructed 'apud Zeugma' for the escort of the Parthian prince in AD 49 (Tac., Ann. 12,11ff.; compare also Jos., Ant. 18,4,5; Tac., Ann. 6,31ff.). It is, however, just as possible, that other reasons led to the construction of either of these forts (cf. e.g. Tac., Ann. 15,3 and 9).

        
Gravestone and tile stamp of legio VII Claudia, Western Necropolis and At Meydani.

After a further survey and soundings in 2000 and 2001 in the immediate vicinity of Zeugma, our investigations in 2002 and in 2003 focused on the field ‘At Meydani’ and its surroundings NW of Belkis Tepe. This area has repeatedly been reported to have been the site of the great permanent fortress of legio IV Scythica. Geophysical surveys carried out by Prof. Mahmut Drahor (Dokuz Eylül University, Izmir) and followed by archaeological soundings aim to collect further information on the field ‘At Meydani’ and its surroundings. Numerous stamped tiles of the fourth legion have been found there and satellite photographs show clear outlines of an architectural structure that matches those of Roman military installations. Clearly, the fourth legion had been involved in major building activities in this area.

However, the terrace-like topography and the absence of a graveyard for the soldiers of the fourth legion made it clear form the start, that this was hardly the permanent fortress of legio IV Scythica. Instead, the results of our recent investigations lead to the conclusion that the military installations at 'At Meydani' rather served as a base for Roman imperial expeditionary forces that came here from other parts of the empire for military operations further East during Rome's great wars against the Parthians and Persians. This can be concluded from the large number of Roman units now also known to have been present at 'At Meydani' on one or more occasions during the late first to fourth centuries AD. However, only further investigations and future large-scale excavations will provide a full understanding of this unique military site! For the latest news and results see news.