Living Area: The Wild Plant Species in Prusias ad Hypium Ancient City

The plants are living organisms that show the ability to cover their locate area by growing and multiplying, providing valuable information about the area they are related to, and exhibiting positive or negative impacts according to their locate area. Therefore, it is important to determine the assets and their impacts in the areas where they are located. One of the most important factors affecting the sustainability of archaeological sites is the plant species seen in these areas. Although many measures have been taken to ensure the sustainability of archaeological sites, which can be considered as living areas, there are limited studies on plant species in these areas in Turkey. This study the ancient city of Prusias ad Hypium, which dates back to the 3rd century BC and is 8 km north of Düzce, was conducted in the 1st degree site of the ancient city. According to the survey results, 57 different plant species were identified from 22 families. Species were determined in Asteraceae (9 species) family, followed by Fabaceae (6 species), Lamiaceae (5) and Poaceae (5), respectively. The identified 21 species are perennial (P), 17 species are annual (A), 2 species are biennial (B), and 17 species have a common life period (A / B, A / P, A / B / P, B / P). The most common species were Anagallis arvensis L. (96,43%) from the family Primulaceae, Medicago arabica (L.) Huds. from the Fabaceae family (93%) and Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. from the Poaceae family (82,14%). The subject of determination of wild plant species in the area of the ancient city of Prusias ad Hypium was taken with this study for the first time. The identified species therefore provide initial data for the relevant field. In addition, the positive / negative impacts of the species on the antique city area were evaluated in general in this study. These assessments provide important information not only for the ancient city area of Prusias ad Hypium, but also about the possible effects of plants in all archaeological sites. Finally, after the study data were obtained, excavations were started in the ancient city area. Therefore, the data can be compared with a similar study which can be done in the coming years