Amorium is relatively easy to find; new road signs to the site have been put up during the summer of 2007 with the help of the Provincial Governor, Mr. Haluk Imga, and the District Governor, Mr. Gürsoy Osman Bilgin. It is approximately 12 km from Emirdag on the road that leads towards Davulga and Yunak. After leaving Emirdağ heading west, one first comes to the Emirdağ by-pass that serves the heavy traffic between Eskisehir and Konya. From there the first village along the road is Suvermez, where one can see a number of ancient stones built into walls and buildings – all of this material probably comes from Amorium. In Suvermez there is a road junction, at which one should take the right fork, leading towards Davulga. After another 6 km of undulating countryside one comes to the small village of Hisarköy. The village mosque is located to the right of the road; the Upper City mound looms over the village to the left. On arrival it is recommended that you make your presence known – villagers often congregate near the mosque. Amorium is a protected archaeological site with an official site guard. Ask the villagers to help you find the guard (bekçi). He will be able to provide you with information, directions, and even give you a guided tour.

The village of Hisarköy is small and forms a closely-knit traditional community. Team members observe and respect local customs and sensitivities (i.e. no shorts or scanty clothing, and “liberal” western behavior on site or in the dig house is to be avoided). The villagers are extremely friendly, hospitable, and honest, and they make every effort to make us welcome and comfortable. Recreation and entertainment in the village, however, are extremely limited. In the summer Emirdağ is packed with Turks who now work in Europe, most especially in Belgium. This makes the place unpleasantly crowded and noisy, but the team – the “funny” foreigners at Amorium – is well known in Emirdağ and has been regularly invited to events in the town. The hospitality of the Emirdağ Kaymakami, the Emirdağ Belediyesi, and various private individuals is most appreciated.

Please take care to observe the following rules:-

• Do not enter the areas under excavation. This is for your own safety and for that of the excavated structures. Climbing or standing on any of the ancient walls and buildings is dangerous and strictly forbidden.
• Do not remove any objects, however small or fragmentary, from the site. Such activity would constitute a criminal offence.
• The excavation dig house is off-limits at all times. Visitors are only admitted if they have made a prior appointment with the excavation director.
• Please respect the privacy of the villagers and their homes.
• Do not leave any litter or rubbish on the site or in the village. There is no organised refuse collection service.

TRAVELLING INSTRUCTIONS FOR VISITORS TO AMORIUM

From Istanbul the YÜKSEL bus company of Eskisehir provides a direct service to Emirdag. Several other companies go to Eskisehir , from where there are frequent buses to Emirdag. There are also local buses from Eskisehir to Yunak that go directly through Hisarköy (Amorium). Travel time between Istanbul and Amorium is approximately 8 hours, depending on traffic and connections.

A luxury service from Istanbul to Esk i sehir is provided by ULUSOY, and this can be booked on line (http://www.ulusoy.com.tr/eng/).

From Ankara the only company that runs to Emirdag is AKSEL, arriving in Emirdag about three hours later.

From Antalya or Izmir there are frequent buses to Afyon with many different companies. From Afyon bus station there are regular services by bus (YÜKSEL) or minibus to Emirdag.

Updated 3/22/2008