Ancient ‘guillotine gate’ system uncovered in Perge
Archaeological excavations at the ancient city of Perge in Antalya’s Aksu district have uncovered evidence showing that the city’s first-century stadium was converted into an amphitheater during the Roman period and used for executions involving wild animals.
The discoveries were made as part of the “Heritage for the Future” project at the ancient city of Perge, which is on UNESCO’s Tentative World Heritage List.
Researchers found that the northern section of the stadium had been enclosed with walls and transformed into an arena equipped with a unique animal-release mechanism operating with a guillotine-style gate system.
It is believed that wild animals, likely transported to the stadium in cages, were suddenly released into the arena through these gates during public execution spectacles involving condemned prisoners.
