Tarsus (2007 pop. 228,471), the birthplace of the Apostle Paul (see Acts 21:39 and 22:3), has been continuously occupied since Neolithic times. The ancient Hellenistic/Roman city lies beneath the modern one at a depth of about 6 m. (20 ft.), much of it below the waterline. The little visitors can view of that city includes the so-called "Cleopatra Gate," the "stone bridge" (not quite that old), and a colonnaded street with adjacent buildings ("Roman city excavation" on the map). The Saul of Tarsus church is much later, but it is possible that the well is more ancient. Some of what has been uncovered resides in the local museum, though more lies in the archaeological museum of Adana, a nearby city.

Archaeologists conducted excavations at the Gözlükule tumulus in the 1930s and 40s. Its primary contribution is much earlier, in the Bronze Age, when Tarsus was part of the Hittite and then the Assyrian empires. This earlier dig is now covered by a forested park. In 2001, however, a team resumed work at Gözlükule, where archaeological work is ongoing.

Want to go deeper?

The following are recommended to help you look deeper into the history and archaeology of Tarsus.

Recommended for purchase:

Claude E. Fant & Mitchell G. Reddish – A Guide to Biblical Sites in Greece and Turkey (Oxford, 2003). – Nearly two-thirds of the New Testament, including all the letters of Paul, most of Acts, and the Book of Revelation, are set in either Turkey or Greece. This book serves as a historical, biblical, and archaeological guide to most of these biblical sites, including Tarsus. View excerpt

Todd Bolen – CD-ROM: Turkey: Pictorial Library of Bible Lands (2004) – Series is most complete collection of high resolution Bible Land images available... perfect for worship, class study, or personal Bible study! Highest quality available. This CD features more than 700 high-resolution digitized images, including Tarsus, but also: Cities of Paul's Journeys (Antioch on the Orontes, Seleucia, Pisidian Antioch, Lystra and Derbe, Colossae, Hierapolis, Assos, Alexandria Troas, and Miletus); seven churches of Revelation: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea; plus Istanbul, Cappadocia, Priene, and Troy.

John Mandeville. Turkey Travel Pack with Pull-out Map (4th ed., 2007). – Pocket-sized guide packed with useful information, tips, and recommendations, accompanied by color photographs, charts and maps for the first-time traveller who wants to experience the major highlights that Turkey has to offer. Incorporates essential information in an easy-to-carry and easy-to-read format. Fold-out map of Turkey plus 7 area maps, 4 site plans, and 10 town plans.

Langenscheidt. Insight Compact Guide: Turkey (Langenscheidt Publ. Group). – Compact Guide Turkey includes chapter detailing Turkey's history and culture, 13 tours, cultural and leisure-time suggestions, and a comprehensive information section packed with essential contact addresses and numbers. Plus around 170 quality photographs and maps. 104 pages, paperback.

Ekrem Akurgal – Ancient Civilizations and Ruins of Turkey: From Prehistoric Times Until the End of the Roman Empire (Haset Kirabevi, 1985). | cheaper, earlier edition – Akurgal was the archaeologist in charge of the excavation of the original Smyrna at Bayrakli.

Online resources:

William M. Ramsay – "Cilicia, Tarsus, and the Great Taurus Pass" [Cilician Gates] (Geography of Tarsus & Cilicia) from The Geographical Journal 22, 4 (Oct. 1903):357-413.

Wikipedia – "Tarsus (city)"

Bogazici University – "Tarsus-Gözlükule Archaeological Project" – Includes history of the excavation, photos, present project, team members, typical day, publications, and more.

Machteld Mellink – 2003 Trip to Tarsus – includes visit to Tarsus "dig house" (store room and study area of Goldman finds. Includes color photos.

Current Archaeology in Turkey – Current work at Gözlükule | Roman baths Summary Detailed report

Dick Osseman's photo gallery of Pergamum – Photos of Tarsus | Adana Archaeological Museum (includes many artifacts from Goldman excavation, especially Hittite).

Andys Basten's photo gallery of Tarsus – First photo (keep clicking on "Next" for slideshow)

Burak Sansal. [History of] Cilicia – Sansal is a Turkish professional tour guide.

Machteld Mellink & Kathleen Quinn. Account of Goldman excavation in Tarsus from Breaking Ground: Pioneering Women Archaeologists ed. Getzel Cohen and Martha Sharp Joukowsky (Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan, 2004).