The ancient city of Sardis in western Turkey has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List following nearly seven decades of continuous excavation. The designation recognizes the site's layered history from the Bronze Age through Ottoman rule and the sustained archaeological work that has revealed its significance.
Sardis served as the capital of the Iron Age kingdom of Lydia and later passed through Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman control. Archaeologists credit the site's preservation to its location outside modern urban development, which allowed multiple historical layers to remain accessible.
The Harvard Cornell Exploration of Ancient Sardis began in 1958 and continues as one of the longest-running institutional projects in the region. Researchers have uncovered mud-brick walls, a gold refining workshop, an ancient shopping district and a sanctuary plaza that required 15 years of work.
Benjamin Anderson, associate professor at Cornell, noted the value of institutional continuity that has produced a critical mass of data over generations. Annetta Alexandridis, also at Cornell, highlighted the project's emphasis on communicating findings to local communities and visitors.
Local participation remains central, with more than half of current researchers from Turkish institutions. Doctoral student Leyla Uğurer, who grew up near the site, said the UNESCO status is expected to increase funding, tourism and protection for the area.