Andriake was the port settlement of the city of Myra, located at the mouth of the Andriakos River. Although archaeological finds date back to the dynastic period, the earliest extant architectural remains belong to the Hellenistic period, particularly the city walls. Most of the visible structures today—including the granarium, bath complexes, agora, synagogue, and churches—date to the Roman and Byzantine periods.
The discovery of murex-processing workshops among the shop buildings surrounding the agora indicates that purple dye was produced in the city. This dye, especially valued for coloring textiles in shades of magenta and purple, was extracted from a type of sea snail known as murex and constituted a highly prized commodity in antiquity. By the 7th–8th centuries CE, the harbor had silted up due to alluvial deposits and consequently lost its function. Excavations and related scientific research at Andriake, conducted alongside those at Myra, have been led by Nevzat Çevik. As part of these efforts, the granarium was restored and converted into the Lycian Civilizations Museum in 2015.
Inscription of the Customs Law (Lex Portorii Provinciae Lyciae)
This inscription was discovered in 1999 during excavations at Andriake, near the main street of the ancient port. It contains provisions relating to Lycia from a customs law promulgated under the reform edict of the Roman emperor Nero in 58 CE. The inscription was likely erected during the governorship of Gaius Licinius Mucianus, who served between 60 and 62/63 CE. In comparison with similar inscriptions from Anatolia—such as those from Ephesus and Caunos—the Andriake inscription is both longer and more detailed. It thus provides valuable insights into the administrative, economic, and social structures of the period.
References:
Çevik, N. & S. Bulut. 2022. “Andriake, Port of Myra: Remarks in Light of New Evidence,” TARE 2, 7–74.
Mayer, L. 1803. Views in the Ottoman Empire, London.
Takmer, B. 2006. Lex Portorii Provinciae Lyciae: Likya Eyaleti Gümrük Yasası, Unpublished Doctoral Dissertaion, Akdeniz Üniversity, Antalya.
Images:
Türkiye Kültür Portalı
L. Mayer, 1803
B. Takmer, 2006
N. Çevik, 2022
Tayfun Bilgin, 2022
Reha Özer, 2023
Arkeoloji Haber, 2023
Bora Bilgin, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
Ertuğrul Anıl, 2024