Ancient water tank still stores fresh water

ZONGULDAK, Turkey

A cistern storing fresh water dating back to medieval era was unearthed in the ancient city of Tieion located in northern Turkey. 

“There is a very large cistern from the Middle Ages that had been used for many years and repaired several times,” Sahin Yildirim, head of excavation, told Anadolu Agency.

The cistern, located in Filyos town in the Black Sea Zonguldak province, was excavated by a team of 25 archaeologists.

Yildirim said a sample was analyzed in the provincial Agriculture Directorate, adding: “Its scale is 7.45 pH, which is quite good for such a source. We still find it to be a drinkable value nowadays.”

The pH scale is used to measure the alkalinity or acidity of a solution. Pure water is neither acidic nor alkaline and is measured 7 on the pH scale.

Yildirim went on to say that a tour route will be designated around the acropolis and various paths on Tieion, adding: “In this respect, one of the most important steps of this project is the medieval cistern.”

Tieion was founded by the Miletus colony led by the priest named "Tios". The city was demolished and looted by the Romans and later rebuilt as a trade and fishing area linked to ​​the Roman provinces. The region was later turned into a fishing town.

Excavations in the ancient city which started in 2006 intend to shed light on the history of the Black Sea and Asia Minor.

* Writing by Erdogan Cagatay Zontur