Archaeological Museum of Ephesus

The two best finds exhibited in the museum are the marble statues of Artemis. One is from the first century AD and the other second century AD. Rows  of egg-shaped marble pieces on the goddess's chest have been interpreted differently as breasts, eggs, grapes or dates. In 1978 a new interpretation suggested that these pieces on the goddess's chest were bulls' testicles offered  to her on feast days as symbols of fertility. Later excavations proved that the  bull cult was really important. Similarly to Mother Goddess of Anatolia, she has  two feline animals standing next to her. Head of Socrates is dating back to 4th  century BC. Socrates had 2 wifes and he was constantly having arguments with his  first wife who was a very mean woman. Socrates blessed her bachelor friends by  saying "Get yourselves a wife: if she is good' you will be happy' if she is bad,  you will become a philospher" 

Image description

Terrace Houses (Slope Houses) of Ephesus

A new excavation site. Excavations are still going here. In a week day visitors can see the archaeologists working. It has been open for public  visits for the last 5 years. Archaeologisits have been excavating 7 houses owned  by the richest Ephesians. These were high ranking officers, governors and rich  trades man. The size of the homes are starting from 1000 square feet and the  largest one was 6000 square feet. They date back to the 1c. AD and some of them  were used up to the 7C AD. Many of them were two storied  houses and had  peristyles Peristyle meaning that each home had a courtyard surrounded by rooms  without windows. Above the courtyard there was an opening for fresh air and when  it rained, rain water was collected either in a pool or a well. Floors of the  homes were decorated with marble and mosaics. The walls with stucco having  mythological scenes. They were luxuriously furnished private houses with  fountains, private baths and central heating. Between the street and houses was  a portico with a mosaic floor, behind which were shops. Their homes were single  family homes. Homes were made, quite often, of brick with red tile roofs, with  rooms arranged around a central courtyard. The windows and balconies faced the  courtyard, not the street, to keep homes safe from burglars. There was very  little furniture, and no carpeting. Wealthy Romans might have a house with a  front door, bedrooms, an office, a kitchen, a dining room, a garden, a temple,  an atrium, a toilet, and a private bath. 

Vsitors who would like to visit this site should expect so  many steps going up and going down. You will be walking on some transparent floors which enable you to see the below. Million of US Dollars are spent for  these excavations. A special fiber above the complex avoid the sun light which could fade  the stuccos. There is an extra admission of 15 TL (11USD) to visit this extraordinary site.