ANTALYA - Fire damaged a part of ancient Perge site in southern city of Antalya on Sunday.
Antalya Governor Alaaddin Yuksel, who visited the site after the fire was put out, said that the fire didn't cause serious damage on the ancient site.
Yuksel noted that authorities were investigating the claims that the fire was started deliberately.
The fire started in the east and west parts of Perge synchronously, it was stated.
On the other hand, Mustafa Kurtulmuslu, the Director of Antalya Forestry Department, said that the fire damaged two hectares of bushy area.
Meanwhile, Professor Haluk Abbasoglu, the Head of the Classical Archeology Department of Istanbul University, said that they were searching the damage caused by the fire on historical artifacts.
Abbasoglu added, ''we are lucky that sparks did not spread to the Agora. There is not any serious damage in the colonnaded boulevard, city wall ruins, and theater. But, ruins among the bushes were damaged.''
Situated 18 km east of Antalya, Perge is in the city limits of Aksu Bucagi. Because of its location on the Cilicia - Pisidia road, it was a vital part of the province of Pamphylia, and was founded around the same time as the other cities in the area (7th century BC). It was an important city for Christians of Perge who had worshipped the mother goddess Artemis.
(BRC) 12.09.2004