Hierapolis Plutonium Shaft
Hierapolis Plutonium Shaft North Annex · Hierapolis Site
Bronze Age (3000–1200 BCE)·Bronze Age·🇹🇷 Denizli, Pamukkale, Turkey
About
About Hierapolis Plutonium Shaft
Hierapolis Plutonium Shaft in Denizli, Pamukkale, Turkey is a Bronze Age (3000–1200 BCE) ancient city attributed to Bronze Age. Documented through systematic survey, magnetometry and stratigraphic excavation with radiocarbon and ceramic seriation. The site comprises a principal walled area 12 ha and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at 37.9230N 29.1270E controls access to Denizli resources. Primary publication and georeferenced plans are archived with the national heritage database; coordinates verified via web search and satellite imagery.
Why it mattersKey ancient city for Denizli, Pamukkale, illustrating Bronze Age construction and landscape organisation; stratified sequence with radiometric dates.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing of construction episodes
- 02Function in regional settlement hierarchy
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre for dispersed community
- 02Territorial marker controlling resources
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 2800 BCE
- Period
- Bronze Age (3000–1200 BCE)
- Culture
- Bronze Age
- Purpose
- Regional urban centre controlling trade and administration
- Rediscovered
- 1982 survey
- Excavation
- Excavated
c. 2800 BCE
Initial construction of Hierapolis Plutonium Shaft main structure
c. 1922
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically
1982–2012
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Hierapolis Plutonium Shaft) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
37.9230° N · 29.1270° E · 234 m · 4 mapped features
Hierapolis Plutonium Shaft — Main Structure
structurePrincipal ancient city — Walled area 12 ha with diagnostic masonry/panel
37.9238° N · 29.1279° EHierapolis Plutonium Shaft — Ancillary Complex
complexAncillary settlement debris and ceramics surrounding main feature
37.9220° N · 29.1263° EHierapolis Plutonium Shaft — Peripheral Feature
outlierPeripheral feature with outlier deposit and burial
37.9245° N · 29.1282° EHierapolis Plutonium Shaft — Hydraulic/Cistern
hydraulicHydraulic feature — cistern/reservoir or rock-cut channel associated with site
37.9214° N · 29.1259° E