Ankara's 2,800-Year-Old Phrygian Heritage to Become an Archaeopark

A new section of the Phrygian past beneath Ankara's current urban fabric has been opened for scientific research.

As part of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism's Future Heritage Project, the first archaeological excavation has begun at the BT10 Tumulus located in the Phrygian Period Western Necropolis in the Bahçelievler–Emek area.

The structure, dating back to 800–550 BC, is one of about 20 known tumuli in the region. The fact that BT10 has not been subject to scientific excavation until now will allow researchers to evaluate burial architecture and possible findings within its archaeological context.

The excavation is being conducted by a scientific team led by Prof. Dr. Atakan Akçay.

Ankara's Phrygian past is not limited to Gordion

When it comes to Phrygian heritage, the first point that usually comes to mind in Ankara is Gordion.

Gordion, located near Polatlı, was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2023. The General Directorate of Cultural Heritage and Museums states that the site is located approximately 90 kilometers southwest of Ankara city center and has a continuity of about 4,500 years.

However, BT10 tells a different story.

The tumulus is part of the Phrygian necropolis system located in the area where Ankara city center has developed westward. Academic studies indicate that a significant portion of the Phrygian tumuli in Ankara lost their original topographical appearance, especially during the urbanization of the 20th century, or were under construction pressure.

For this reason, the BT10 excavation is valuable not only for the search for new findings but also for documenting the archaeological landscape that remains within the modern city.

New data about Phrygian life is expected from the tumulus

According to the statement by Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, the data obtained from the excavation is expected to provide new information about the Phrygians':

burial traditions,
daily life,
and early history of Ankara.

However, expectations and results should be distinguished here.

The excavation has just begun. Therefore, it is not possible at this stage to determine to whom the grave belongs, what items will be found, or the exact functional characteristics of the structure.

Expressions like "royal tomb," "treasure," or similar are not supported by existing sources.

The second phase of the excavation is the archaeopark

The most striking aspect of the project from a tourism perspective is the process that will begin after the excavation.

The Ministry announced that an archaeopark will be created in the area after the scientific studies. The aim is to include the site as a new stop on Ankara's cultural tourism routes.

The archaeopark model means that the archaeological site will not remain a closed excavation area worked on only by experts.

If designed correctly, visitors can:

see the original location of the tumulus,
understand the excavation process,
learn about the relationship between the Phrygian period and Ankara,
and experience the area alongside other cultural points in the city.

The real value from a tourism perspective is created here.

Cultural heritage needs infrastructure to turn into a tourism product

Opening an archaeological site to visitors does not alone create a destination product.

For a visitor economy to form:

transportation,
signage,
interpretation and information panels,
guiding,
security,
accessibility,
visiting hours,
and surrounding service infrastructure

should be considered together.

The location of the archaeopark within the city may provide an advantage in this regard. Access may be easier for residents of Ankara, school groups, or short-term visitors to the city compared to a distant archaeological site.

However, the Ministry has not yet disclosed the size of the archaeopark, opening schedule, visitor capacity, or investment budget.

Ankara is trying to spread cultural tourism to different points

The new excavation is not a standalone initiative.

The Ankara Metropolitan Municipality has also been working to open Gordion and other historical areas to visitors through city tours and youth programs throughout 2026. During the Polatlı tours held in May, Gordion, the POTA Museum, and Duatepe were connected to the same cultural route.

About 70 people aged 18–35 participated in the Gordion Youth Camp held in August.

These efforts indicate that Ankara is moving towards a route creation approach in terms of cultural tourism rather than focusing on individual monuments.

If BT10 is transformed into an archaeopark in the future, it may be possible to create new routes connecting the city center, Ulus, the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, and Phrygian heritage.

Gordion's UNESCO status strengthens the Phrygian brand

Gordion's inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2023 has created a strong reference for the international recognition of Ankara's Phrygian heritage.

This recognition does not directly mean UNESCO status for BT10.

However, it can provide a narrative ground for the urban remains that are part of the same historical framework.

From a tour operator's perspective, this situation can help develop a more comprehensive Phrygian route instead of a "single site visit."

Where are the opportunities for hotels and local businesses?

The impact of cultural tourism on the hospitality sector should be evaluated not just by the number of visitors but through length of stay and time spent in the city.

Adding a half or full-day cultural program to the trip of a guest visiting Ankara for business or public purposes can create additional spending for:

hotel concierge services,
guided tours,
transportation,
museum and event packages,
local restaurants.

Especially in cities like Ankara, where business travel is predominant, cultural products can be one of the tools to extend the visitor's stay.

BT10 may not be a destination on its own that can provide this. A stronger model would be packaging the site with the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, Gordion, and other heritage points in Ankara.

Protection and visitor economy must be balanced

The significant risk of the archaeopark plans lies here.

Archaeological sites are not just tourist products.

As visitor capacity increases:

physical wear,
environmental pressure,
security,
and conservation costs

may also rise.

Therefore, instead of maximizing visitor numbers, a usage model suitable for the site's carrying capacity needs to be developed.

If sensitive findings emerge as a result of the excavation, tourism planning will need to be shaped according to the scientific conservation needs.

Stafflink's Opinion

In our view, the most valuable aspect of the BT10 project is not adding another "new tourist point" to Ankara; it is the potential to make the Phrygian past, which has become almost invisible in the capital's city center, readable again.

The advantage of successful destinations in cultural tourism is not having numerous historical artifacts but being able to transform these artifacts into a meaningful route and experience.

If the BT10 archaeopark is developed in connection with Gordion, the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, and other historical points in Ankara, a new cultural product that can extend the visitor's time in the city can be created.