Ancient Harbor Settlement of Bathonea (Istanbul)
The archaeological site known as Bathonea lies on the northwestern shore of Lake Küçükçekmece, on the Firuzköy Peninsula in Istanbul’s Avcılar district, about 20 km west of the historical city center. Excavations have revealed that it functioned as a major harbor settlement in the Late Roman and Early Byzantine periods, closely linked to Constantinople.
(Source: Arkeolojik Haber – “Bathonea Ancient City”
https://www.arkeolojikhaber.com/haber-bathonea-antik-kenti-bathonea-arkeoloji-kazisi-37372/)
Systematic work began after surface surveys in 2007 and full-scale excavations started in 2009. Archaeologists have uncovered harbors, streets and squares, water structures, military, civilian and religious buildings, as well as storage complexes, dating roughly from the 4th century BC to the 11th century AD.
(Source: Journal of Mosaic Research article on Bathonea harbor settlement
https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/jmr/issue/80430/1376862)
Bathonea is especially notable for its port installations and hydraulic works: breakwaters and piers on the lakeshore, remains of a lighthouse, and what is considered one of Istanbul’s oldest underground water-channel systems. Recent seasons also exposed an olive-oil and wine production complex with presses, fermentation basins and amphora fragments, underlining the site’s role as a center of agricultural production and trade.
(Source: Bathonea Excavations official site – https://www.bathonea.org/
Anatolian Archaeology – olive oil & wine workshop
https://www.anatolianarchaeology.net/bathonea-excavations-reveal-olive-oil-and-wine-workshop-near-kucukcekmece-lake/)
Finds from the Küçükçekmece Lake Basin not only fill gaps in the Roman–Byzantine history of Istanbul but also push the story of settlement here back to the Bronze Age, with evidence suggesting early Hittite-period activity in Thrace. Because of this deep stratigraphy, Bathonea is seen as a key site for understanding the long-term development of Istanbul and its surroundings.
(Source: Istanbul History project – contributions of Bathonea excavations
https://istanbultarihi.ist/387-the-contributions-to-istanbul-of-the-prehistoric-archaeological-field-surveys-and-the-banthonea-excavations
Daily Sabah – “Lost ancient harbors, lighthouse found in Istanbul’s Bathonea excavations”
https://www.dailysabah.com/arts/lost-ancient-harbors-lighthouse-found-in-istanbuls-bathonea-excavations/news)