Ancient Roman Pool in Turkey Reidentified as Asclepius Healing Sanctuary!
Archaeologists working in central Turkey have rewritten the story of one of Tyana’s most recognisable Roman-era landmarks. A structure long believed to be a simple part of the city’s water system has now been identified as a sacred healing sanctuary dedicated to Asclepius, the Greco-Roman god of medicine.
The site, located in Bahçeli in the Bor district of Niğde Province, is being re-examined by a team from Aksaray University’s Archaeology Department as part of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s Heritage for the Future project. Their renewed excavations have overturned decades of assumptions, revealing that the so-called “Roman Pool” was far more than an impressive piece of engineering. Instead, it formed the heart of a spiritual and therapeutic space central to ancient healing practices.
Photo Credit: IHA Photo
Originally built in the 2nd century CE under the emperors Trajan and Hadrian, the pool had long been thought to serve only as part of Tyana’s water distribution network. But the 2025 dig season has uncovered compelling clues that point to ritual activity. One of the most striking finds is a marble altar decorated with snakes, an unmistakable symbol of Asclepius and a powerful motif of renewal and health in the ancient world. Additional fragments featuring serpent imagery were unearthed nearby, strengthening the case for the site being a sanctuary centred on purification and healing through sacred waters.
Excavations on the eastern side of the pool have also revealed evidence that it once formed part of a larger temple or sanctuary complex. Asclepian centres were found throughout the Greco-Roman world and typically blended worship with therapeutic treatments. Pilgrims would visit to bathe in consecrated water, pray, and leave votive offerings in thanks for restored health.
Photo Credit: IHA Photo
Further confirmation arrived in the form of a newly preserved inscription mentioning the emperors Marcus Aurelius and Commodus. The text suggests that the principal construction phase took place between 177 and 180 CE, refining the site’s chronology and indicating direct imperial involvement. This discovery offers valuable insight into how the Roman state supported medical and spiritual institutions across Anatolia.
The renewed excavations have also brought fresh attention to Tyana itself. Known as Tuwana during the Iron Age, the city was a major centre in Roman Cappadocia and an important hub linking central Anatolia with the Cilician plains. Under Caracalla, it received the prestigious title Antoniana Colonia Tyana, reflecting its influence within the empire.
After nearly eighty years without large-scale archaeological work, the new findings provide the first scientific evidence that the Roman Pool was part of a healing complex rather than a purely practical installation. This revelation adds a fascinating new layer to the archaeological landscape of Niğde and the wider Cappadocia region.
Excavations are set to continue in 2026, with researchers aiming to uncover more of the surrounding structures and prepare the site for controlled public access. It’s hoped that further discoveries, perhaps more inscriptions or artefacts linked to Asclepius, will deepen our understanding of the ways water, ritual, and medicine shaped daily life in ancient Anatolia.