Since 2012, excavations have been carried out in Misis by Italian and Turkish experts under the presidency of Adana Archeology Museum, under the scientific consultancy of Anna Lucia D'Agata from the Rome International Research Institute and Giovanni Salmeri from the University of Pisa. The seeds unearthed by the team and estimated to be 3,000 years old, are being studied at the Misis Mound Excavation House.
Mayor of Yuregir, Fatih Mehmet Kocaispir, who visited the excavation site, said, “Misis is one of the most important places in the history of Turkey. Excavations are carried out around Misis Mound and Misis Bridge with the support of the municipality. We have obtained very important archaeological findings during these excavations.”
Stating that this is a place where uninterrupted life has continued for 8 thousand years, the mayor said, “Grape seeds dating back 3000 years have been found.
Of course, although these grape seeds have been carbonized and lost their quality, it is an important finding that shows that grape trade and grape cultivation were done here 3,000 years ago. We are very excited to find lentils, broad beans, peas, wheat and barley seeds.”
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Noting that the seeds are not suitable for sowing, Kocaispir said that despite this, these products have been planted in the region for 3,000 years. “These seeds reveal that there are ports along the Ceyhan River and that these products are traded. We hope to find more new seeds in the excavations that will continue until September and October. The archaeological finds here are not just sculptures. These seeds are very important for us to learn what human life was like at that time. We will report these seeds to the state. After evaluating the seeds, we will learn more about the history of agriculture,” he said.
Misis Ancient City is located 27 kilometers east of Adana, on the historical Silk Road, right next to the Ceyhan River. A frontier fortress that changed hands many times until the end of the 14th century, Misis flourished and expanded in the middle-kingdom era. The city covered an area of about 80 hectares, including a vast necropolis of rock tombs. Kent Sultan IV. Mehmet gained importance when he built a caravanserai on the river in 1661.