Posted on 07/08/2006 1:06:50 PM PDT by blam
Massive earthquake destroyed ancient city of Anamurium, say scientists
Saturday, July 8, 2006
ANKARA - Turkish Daily News
The ancient city of Anamurium, located west of Mersin's Anamur district, was destroyed by a massive earthquake in the sixth century, scientists working at the site announced on Wednesday.
Professor Selim Ýnan of Mersin University said in a written statement that four fault lines in the triangle formed by the Mut, Ermenek and Anamur districts had been identified during studies conducted over the last two years with Professor Nurdan Ýnan.
Ýnan said the research revealed strong evidence that the ancient city was destroyed by an earthquake that occurred on the continuation of the Namrun fault line, which constitutes the southwest end of the Ecemiþ fault line.
We considered the possibility that the Namrun and Ecemiþ fault lines could extend as far as Anamur, which can be seen in ancient port listings that date back to the fourth century B.C., said Ýnan.
Three-meter landslides that occurred on the city walls caught our attention. The damage that occurred in the city was bigger than that of its necropolis, which was located on higher land. Additionally, although the area was a thriving settlement until that time, it was abandoned in the sixth century. All this proves that a massive earthquake struck the area, Ýnan explained.
The history of the ancient city of Anamurium, which sits on a 30-square-kilometer area west of Cape Anamur, dates back to the Hittite period. The name Anamurium means windy cape according to historical documents.
Tsunami too?
GGG Ping.
The fabled "Acts of God" nuclear devise that Rove controls.
Yes, it was Bush's fault, though. Ya just know it! Bush Prescottius the 1st and Pontius Cheney 1st ordered Karlopernicus Rove of Pompeii to drive the Global Warming horse-drawn chariot into those areas.
Buaahahha/sarc
Just like Californians, they keep building over known fault lines.
Some sort of tidal wave action would make sense with the greater damage at the city vs. the necropolis on higher ground.
That being said, we are dealing with unreinforced stone work here. The height of the buildings in the city compared to the necropolis may also explain the difference in damage levels.
Very interesting.
There's plenty of strong earthquakes in the Eastern Mediterranean from normal tectonic sources.
Interestingly it does seem there were a LOT more quakes there in Old Testament through Roman times through the early Byzantine period than there are today. An unusual lull now.
It is written in the Chinese records. Also, the tree-rings worldwide recorded the event.
A lull in celestial events too. Related?
A strange natural catastrophe it would have to be - lasting for a good two centuries like Volkswanderung. I do not buy it.
What is a Volkswanderung?
IIRC, Volkswanderung [German term] = [great] wandering of the peoples, supposedly started with the Huns [hsiung-nu in Chinese sources] in about early 3rd century AD, proceeded as an avalanche of displaced tribes from Eastern Central Asia westward, got to Europe in the 5th century, got deflected and dissipated, but ultimately resulted in the collapse of Western Roman empire and the establishment of a bunch of tribal kingdoms and duchies, aka Dark Ages.
Please FREEPMAIL me if you want on or off the
Gods, Graves, Glyphs PING list or GGG weekly digest
-- Archaeology/Anthropology/Ancient Cultures/Artifacts/Antiquities, etc.
Gods, Graves, Glyphs (alpha order)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.