Roman inscriptions from Caracalla found in Turkey

[guy]

 

Ten slabs inscribed with Caracalla's name have recently been unearthed in Turkey. The slabs were reused as foundation stones for a house in 1950, preserving the inscriptions from erosion. The inscriptions, written in Latin, may have been an official reply or edict.

The exact text of these inscriptions has not been released. They were found in the ancient Roman city of Takina, near modern-day Yarişli, Turkey (pictured on the map alone).

 

 

 

 

 

 

🏛️ Summary of the Discovery

In October 2025, archaeologists announced the discovery of ten inscribed stone slabs beneath a now-abandoned house in Yarışlı village, near the ancient city of Takina in Burdur Province, southwestern Türkiye. The slabs contain fragments of a formal Roman imperial letter issued under Emperor Caracalla (r. AD 198–217), making this one of the rarest epigraphic finds in the region.

📜 Key Details:

Inscription type: A formal imperial letter, probably a public edict or notice from Caracalla to local officials.

Material: Ten stone slabs reused as building material in a village house built in the 1950s.

Language: Latin, with formulaic imperial phrasing typical of Roman bureaucratic correspondence.

Origin: Stones were removed from the ruins of Takina, a Roman-era city in the Yeşilova district, and transported by villagers who were unaware of their historical significance.

Preservation: The slabs remained hidden in plain sight for decades, becoming part of the house’s foundation and walls.

🧭 Historical Significance

This find is exceptional for several reasons:

Rare surviving imperial letters: Most Roman imperial communications were written on bronze or parchment and have not lasted. Stone inscriptions of letters are rare and usually reserved for important edicts or honors.

Epigraphic insight: The slabs offer a glimpse into the language, tone, and structure of Roman imperial correspondence, including salutations, decrees, and local references.

Reuse of antiquities: The case highlights how ancient materials were repurposed in rural architecture, inadvertently preserving historical artifacts.

🔍 Additional Context on Takina

Takina (also spelled Takinia) was a Roman settlement featuring civic infrastructure, temples, and inscriptions. Although it was not as prominent as nearby cities such as Sagalassos or Kibyra, it still played a role in regional governance. The discovery of Caracalla’s letter indicates that Takina had enough status to warrant direct communication from the emperor.

 

 

https://arkeonews.net/the-lost-letters-of-caracalla-ten-inscribed-slabs-unearthed-beneath-a-turkish-village-home/

 

Edited October 28, 2025 by guy

[caesar novus]

3 hours ago, guy said:

The exact text of these inscriptions has not been released.

Arrgh, at least there is still hope they enscribe more than just the usual niceties.