Ambar: Traces of Ancient Sidamaria

Ambar connects the history of ancient Sidamaria with the distinctive landscape around Ambar Höyük. The ancient city is identified with the present-day village of Ambar in the district of Ayrancı. Archaeological and epigraphic evidence indicates that Sidamaria was an important city in Roman and early Christian times. For travellers interested in history and the tangible character of a place, the sights here include the höyük, inscriptions and the rock-cut tombs of Köşkerlik.

Höyük, Hill and Plain

Ambar Höyük lies at the southern foot of a rocky hill north of the village. The hill, known locally as “Kale,” measures 200 × 170 metres. Village houses surround it to the south, east and west; only the north side is without houses. This location makes the hill a distinctive landmark within the village.

Wide, fertile plains stretch around Ambar Höyük. Rocky rises border the plain to the east, while the flat landscape extends far to the south, north and west. The combination of a rocky ridge and open plain gives Ambar a character different from that of a place defined solely by its buildings. If you are also considering the landscape as part of your destination when choosing a holiday rental, you can take this character of the area into account in your plans.

Sidamaria and Its History

Sidamaria stood at an important crossroads, where routes from Herakleia (Ereğli), Kana (Beşağıl), Ikonium (Konya), Laranda and the coast met. Since the 19th century, Ambar, identified as the site of Sidamaria, has attracted travellers and researchers. A Greek inscription found in Ambar, attributed to Hadrian, records the city’s name. An inscription from Sidamaria dated to Hadrian’s reign indicates that the city had a bath.

The Sidamaria Sarcophagus also connects the area with its ancient history: it was found in Ambar, dates to around 250 AD and is displayed in the Istanbul Archaeological Museum. Ambar Höyük, also known as Sidemara Höyük, is listed as a first- and second-degree archaeological site from the Roman and Byzantine periods. Thus, the city’s history, inscriptions and archaeological sites are among the different facets that can shape a history-focused stay.

What Is Visible at the Höyük Today

Earlier researchers reported remains of walls on Ambar Höyük and stretches of wall extending towards the plain. Today, no wall remains are visible on the höyük. Within the village, too, there are no remains of ancient buildings apart from scattered architectural blocks. This distinction helps to consider the historical accounts separately from the site’s present-day appearance, without making the history of Sidamaria depend solely on visible walls.

Rock-Cut Tombs and Khamasoria at Köşkerlik

The Köşkerlik area lies about 350 metres northeast of Ambar Höyük and immediately north of the present-day village cemetery. It contains rock-cut tombs and numerous khamasoria. Five rock-cut tombs are arranged on the upper southern slope of the rocky ridge. Their entrances face southeast; the tombs have rectangular entrances, square burial chambers and simple klinai. These described construction features give the tombs a distinctive architectural form.

In the rocky area between the rock-cut tombs and the present-day village cemetery at Köşkerlik are 21 khamasoria. The historical themes of Ambar and Sidamaria therefore extend beyond the höyük: the burial sites and their arrangement are also part of the picture of the area. If you are travelling as a family with different interests to consider, you can weigh up a focus on the history of the ancient city against an interest in the landscape and funerary architecture.

More Places

More places: Karaman, Koçaşlı, Ayrancı, Alaçatı, Ermenek, Akçaşehir Belediyesi, Kazımkarabekir.

Back to the main travel overview: Karaman.