Kastamonu University is providing scientific leadership for the 30th period of archaeological excavation work being conducted at the Elaiussa Sebaste Ancient City, located in the Erdemli district of Mersin. 

The excavations are led by Assoc. Dr. Hatice Asena Kızılarslanoğlu, a faculty member of the Department of Archaeology, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, is financed by the Heritage to the Future Project by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

In the historical city located in the Ayaş Neighborhood, a multidisciplinary team consisting of academics, archaeologists, anthropologists, and art historians from different universities is contributing to the excavation work.  While American experts and students are actively engaged in the field, a scientific team from Italy is also expected to join the efforts soon. Within the scope of excavation activities, not only archaeological excavations but also plant cleaning, landscaping, evaluation of finds, and maintenance, repair, and restoration works are being carried out simultaneously.

Stating that Elaiussa Sebaste was an important trade, production, and port city from the 2nd century BC to the early 7th century AD, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kızılarslanoğlu expressed that the site contains many public and religious structures, such as a theater, temple, bathhouse, and necropolis. Emphasizing that maintenance and restoration works are also ongoing for the floor tiles and the artifacts in the excavation house's storage, Kızılarslanoğlu stated that, especially in the northern necropolis area, burial structures have been unearthed and the vegetation has been completely cleared. It is aimed to open this area to tourism after environmental regulations.

Kastamonu University Rector Prof. Dr. Ahmet Hamdi Topal expressed their satisfaction in contributing to the excavations and stated the following: "The preservation of cultural heritage and the unveiling of the past are important parts of our scientific responsibility. Projects like these, carried out by our academics, contribute to both the field of archaeology and our country's tourism potential. I congratulate Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hatice Asena Kızılarslanoğlu and her team.