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The Roman Road at Sağlıklı Village.
Large section of what is now multilane highway follows the route of the old ancient road. Especially the stretch of highway from Tarsus to Pozantı follows much the same route. Despite damage, due to modern technology and a need to make the roadways safer, a large portion of the old ancient road was saved. The 2km long limestone covered section 14 km west of the Ankara road, at a place known as Sağlıklı Village, is part of what remains. The road begins here at an elevation of 200 meters above see level and rises to carry on into and over the Taurus Mountains. It was the major route to the Centeral Anatolian and the Mediterranean Regions.(picture).
The road was most likely built in the first century A.D and used approximately until the 4th century. The sections that remain are constructed with rectangular blocks of sandstone, with both sides of the road elevated to prevent carriages passing side by side from sliding of the road. Of special note are the easy curves of the road that follow the countours of the land in order to allow two carriages to pass each other at those spots.
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