The South Gate

The South Gate

The South Gate

You are now directly in front of the south gate of Troy VII, probably the principal entrance to the citadel. Of the gate only the roadway survives today. It led in a straight line up into the citadel and was entirely paved with Stone slabs. In the middle of the road a drainage channel, possibly of Troy VII date, runs beneath the paving-stones.

The South Tower

The South Tower (measuring 10 m x 9.5 m) was added to the citadel only later in Troy VII. The walls, whose execution is like that of the walls of the East Tower, are built directly on bedrock and are preserved to a height of two meters. Immediately in front of the tower stoof several Stone stele – evidence of a typical, ancient Anatolian gateway cult.

The "Pillar House"

To the left, behind the South Tower, a pillar shows the location of the "Pillar House." With an area of 27 m x 12m, this was one of the largest houses in Troy VII. In the hall of the house stood two pillars which even a second storey.

The Finds

Among the commonest finds from the Troy VI layers is a grey pottery, often decorated with wavy lines – the so-called "Grey Minyan Ware." This is also found as far away as mainland Greece. Mycenaean imports provide clear evidence of Troy's important role in long distance trade, and of economic contacts between the Anatolian palace/trading-city of Troy and Mycenae, the great power of the ancient Aegean.

ÜST