Excavation of Rabbit Island, Gümüşlük

Ancient Theatre discovered

One of my regrets of our first trip to Gümüşlük, is that we didn’t take the opportunity to walk upon the sunken ancient city walls of Myndos to reach Rabbit Island, and then hike to the top of the hill to look back at Gümüşlük Bay and Harbour for a well positioned photo opportunity. But between our first and second visit, access to Rabbit Island became restricted, and you could no longer explore the Island.

You can still walk on the sunken walls – but now, once you reach Rabbit Island, there isn’t much to do, except turn around and walk back to the mainland.

This restriction is for a good cause though. Rabbit Island is currently being excavated, and archeologists from the Uludağ Üniversity (which is situated the other side of Gümüşlük Harbour) have discovered a huge ancient theatre that was constructed in the Hellenistic period, around 400 BC.

I’m going to be monitoring the progress, and I look forward to a future trip to Gümüşlük when this historical site is open to the public, and I can explore the heights and ancient past of Rabbit Island.

© Archeological Dig Photo World Bulletin

Excavation of Rabbit Island, Gümüşlük