expensive arches across a valley to support an open channel but instead had the problem of containing the water pressure in the siphon in an era when large diameter piping was difficult to make and seal. The pipes were carved from marble blocks with internal diameter of 0.28 m, each weighing up to 900 kg, laid on top of a 200 m long, 10 m high wall across an 18 m deep valley. The site of the oracle and temple of Apollo have not been found. The harbour is still apparent but it is a swamp, choked up with sand and bushes. Excavation history In 1836 the French archaeologist Charles Texier explored the site followed by Charles Fellows in 1838. Excavations were begun in 1988 and only in 1991 was the Bouleuterion recognised. In 1993 the Stadiasmus Patarensis was unearthed, a monumental Roman pillar on which is inscribed in Greek a dedication to Claudius and an official announcement of roads being built by the governor, Quintus Veranius Nepos, in the province of Lycia et Pamphylia, giving place names and distances, essentially a monumental public itinerarium. The pillar is on display in the garden of the Antalya Museum. The site is currently being excavated each year by a team of Turkish archaeologists. At the end of 2007, all the sand had been cleared from the theatre and some other buildings, and the columns on the main street had been partially re-erected (with facsimile capitals). The excavations revealed masonry in remarkable condition. In 2020 several discoveries were made: a 10th statue of a woman from the theatre. a kitchen and a "women's room", with mirrors, ornaments and fragrance pots, from the 4th c. BC. These rooms, known as gynaeconitis, were located away from the residence's entrance in order to minimise contact with men from outside the family, and were where women nursed their children, wove thread and wool a cylindrical ancient Greek altar carved with a coiled snake. Tourism Apart from its ancient ruins, Patara is also famous for the -long Patara Beach, which is situated on the Turkish Riviera. See also Turkish Riviera References General Blue Guide, Turkey, (), pp. 373–374. External links Official website Private website, 118 pictures Ancient Greek archaeological sites in Turkey Populated places in ancient Lycia New Testament cities Roman sites in Turkey Ruins in Turkey Catholic titular sees in Asia Greek colonies in Anatolia Turkish Riviera