The Roman world in Central Anatolia: Skeletal material from the ancient cities of Philadelphia and Sbide (Ermenek/Karaman) (Ahmet İhsan Aytek, Alper Yener Yavuz, Alpago Göksenin Güzel, Ercan Er, İlker
Mete Mimiroğlu)
Anatolia is an important geographic region for the Roman period. Although most of the famous sites are located on the Aegean and Mediterrenean coasts, Roman cities expanded throughout Anatolia. One such case is located in the Ermenek district of the Karaman province. This study is based on skeletal material that was exhumed during the 2015-2021 excavation
seasons from the ancient cities of Philadelphia and Sbide. The cities were part of the Cetis region in Isauria-Cilicia Tracheia and dated to the 3rd century AD according to archaeological finds. The material consists of two series of skeletons: 448 individuals from Sbide and 384 individuals
from Philadelphia. Ongoing excavations are increasing the number of individuals available for study. Most of the individuals were recovered from rock tombs and sarcophagi. After estimating sex and age, the skeletons were examined for pathological conditions. Many intriguing pathological lesions were recorded including a possible case of trepanation. Preliminary
observation on the skull appears to demonstrate that a surgical procedure for trepanation was started but not completed. The detailed study is underway. We believe that skeletal material from Central Anatolia will provide new perspectives in order to better understand the Roman world.
