Further Research Context
The Main Gate of Side in Pamphylia is part of an elaborate fortification complex consisting of the East Gate and a well-preserved fortification wall. Under the field supervision and project coordination of the applicant, archaeological investigations were conducted at the East Gate from 2011 to 2019. The gate complex - a courtyard gate - is dated to the Hellenistic period by most scholars studying fortifications. The excavations did not reveal a Hellenistic context. The first phase of construction at the East Gate dates to the Augustan period at the earliest. While the excavations and construction survey at the East Gate have been completed (see FWF final report), the applicant and the team from the University of Graz began initial investigations at the Main Gate of Side in 2019.

Research questions
The Main Gate - also a courtyard gate - differs in its construction and equipment from other structures at Side, especially from the East Gate and the Landwall. According to the first research campaign, the Main Gate was a free-standing building in its first period, which was connected to the curtain wall of the Landwall only in a further construction phase by a small connecting wall.

The aim of the project is a detailed investigation of the construction history at the main gate in order to classify the building in the fortification system of Side. This would complete the project "Fortification System of Side".

Methods
Analysis of the building periods - Processing of the finds - Building history - Recording of the building blocks - Analogy to other court gates: Walk-through, literature research, photographic documentation

Novelty
While the Main Gate and the East Gate have always been viewed from a defensive perspective, a new conclusion emerges that relates to their representative function and their relationship to the urban structure (rather than to the threatening enemy). Based on this changed approach, new questions arise that require explanation. The results of the excavations require research on the archaeological record and findings. The study of an excavation record in relation to the features represents an important presentation of excavation results in Pamphylia as a whole. The first presentation of a relative sequence of pottery in conjunction with a meaningful chronology of a monumental building complex is significant for the entire region of Pamphylia and the neighboring provinces. The solid presentation of the pottery will provide a good overview of the material in conjunction with a contextual framework that will allow further detailed analysis for pottery studies.