1800-Yr-Old 'Box Seats' With Names Unearthed From an Arena in Turkey; 'Upper-Class Had Private Seats in Special Sections'

In 2021, archaeologists unearthed what they believed to be VIP seats at an ancient amphitheater in Turkey. These 'box seats' were unearthed during excavations in Pergamon, stated Smithsonian Magazine. Researchers believe the special stone seating area was reserved because the names of individuals assigned to the seats were inscribed on them.  As per examinations, the whole structure dates back to 1,800 years ago. 

The excavation was conducted under Transformation of the Pergamon Micro-Region (TransPergMikro), a project financed by the German Research Foundation, stated Live Science. Experts were fascinated by Pergamon and stated that it was built to mirror the legendary Colosseum of ancient Rome. Researchers uncovered two seat blocks featuring carved inscriptions on the east side of the amphitheater. Experts think the inscriptions are names of people, who took that particular seat every time they attended a show in the amphitheater. 

Because these two seating blocks had names inscribed on them, researchers speculated that they possibly belonged to the elite section of society. The team claims that the upper class "had private seats in special sections with their names engraved on them," Felix Pirson, director of the Istanbul branch of the German Archaeological Institute shared.

The amphitheater in Pergamon is one of the best preserved of its kind in Asia Minor. But before this project, there had never been a detailed analysis of the structure. This excavation led to the discovery of the seat blocks, which had previously been unrecorded. The disclosure also showed that the privileged section did not only have a liking for the lower level seats, as previously believed since these blocks were in the upper portion of the structure. "This discovery indicates that inscribed seat blocks for privileged individuals could be found not just in the ima cavea [lower seats] but also on upper levels," the archaeologists involved in the project shared. 

Researchers examined the seats using 3D photogrammetry, a technique in which multiple photos of an object are captured to create a 3D image. Experts noted that some of the inscriptions depicted Latin names, but were written in Greek letters. "Another detail that caught our attention was that Latin names were written in Greek letters," Pirson said. "We believe that some people from Italy had a special place in the Pergamon amphitheater." One of the seats had the word Lukios inscribed on it, stated Smithsonian Magazine. Researchers believe this is the Greek version of the Latin Lucius. 

The ancient amphitheater is placed near the modern Turkish city of Bergama. As per examinations, the structure could hold 25,000 spectators. Archaeologists found five exclusive lodges, or cavea (seating sections) in the structure, which experts think served as luxury suites for the elite population. Researchers think the amphitheater was used to showcase gladiator and animal fights in the second century C.E. The team also presented the possibility of public executions and reenactments of naval battles being performed in the construction. The seating blocks were put on display for the public at Red Basilica, a ruined temple in Bergama.