Re-Assessment of the Claudiopolis Stadion Rescue Excavation in 2008

Abstract

Bithynion (Bolu), one of the important cities of the Bithynia Region, was on an important route from Nicomedia to Pontus and Paphlagonia regions. The city stands out during the reign of Emperor Hadrian (117-138 AD). Emperor Hadrianus, declaring Antinoos as the protector of the city, orders a temple to be built on it and for this reason, ceremonies and competitions are held here every five years. Various remains were encountered during the demolition of the shops belonging to the Bolu Municipality, located in the Akpinar Neighbourhood of Bolu province, Merkez District, in 2008. A total of 113 boreholes measuring 1x1.5 m were drilled with depths varying per the filling soil and at a distance of 1.5 m from each other. With the excavations and drillings in 2008, M. Y. Gunes revealed new information and documents and published the results of the research and investigations in the excavation report. Although the stadium is in excellent condition, the details of its architectural typology and technical features were not known accurately and entirely until recently. This review evaluates the new evidence unearthed in the stadium during the work of 2022, taking into account the 2008 excavation report and finds.