Team of archaeologists finds monumental antique temple: Münster researchers investigate a previously unknown sanctuary from the Roman era

Examining part of the temple's entablature. Forschungsstelle Asia Minor Last summer, archaeologists from the University of Münster discovered a previously unknown sanctuary from the Roman era during excavation work in the ancient town of Doliche in south-eastern Turkey. Over a period of nine weeks, the team - headed by Prof. Engelbert Winter and Prof. Michael Blömer from the Asia Minor Research Centre -uncovered parts of a large temple notable not only for its size but also for its unusual form. The find is of great importance for understanding the development of temple architecture in antiquity in the Middle East. Before excavation work began, there was little to indicate the existence of a large ancient building on this site. There were no traces of antique architecture recognizable on the gently sloping, vine-covered field. Even before the campaign started, however, measurements taken by means of ground penetration radar - which makes subterranean structures visible - had provided indications of sections of wall hidden below the surface.