Archaeologists excavating at ancient Laodicea, the site of one of the seven churches addressed in the book of Revelation, have been uncovering the sacred agora there. Every Hellenistic city in the first century had an agora, which functioned as a city-center and the marketplace. Laodicea's agora is unique in that there was also a temple located there, making it a sacred agora. Excavations have confirmed that Laodicea was one of the most prosperous cities in Asia Minor. Archaeologists have discovered jewelry and sculpture heads, as well as various ceramic vessels. In addition to excavating, a team is involved in a restoration process; in 2016 alone they restored 34 columns in the southern and western portico of the agora. The goal is to restore the agora to the condition it was 2000 years ago, and make Laodicea's archaeological ruins a tourist destination in the next 3-4 years.
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