Sardis Granted UNESCO Status After 68 Years of Excavation

The ancient Lydian capital of Sardis in Turkey has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, 68 years after archaeological excavations began in 1958. Located at the crossroads of the Mediterranean and the Anatolian plateau, Sardis was renowned for its wealth and is credited with inventing coinage. The site features well-preserved ruins spanning Lydian, Persian, Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman periods. Excavations led by Cornell University have focused on the acropolis and the Temple of Artemis. Professor Benjamin Anderson noted that the long-term project has generated a critical mass of data, allowing the city's history to be told archaeologically. Vice-director Annetta Alexandridis emphasized the urgency of conservation, as looting using explosives and bulldozers has caused significant damage. UNESCO recognition is expected to bring additional funding for protection, research, and tourism.