Aperlae

Aperlae or Aperlai (Ancient Greek: Ἄπερλαι, romanized: Aperlai) was an ancient city founded in the 400s BC on the southern coast of ancient Lycia. It did not play any significant role in history or politics, yet its lifespan of 1,300 years is worth note. The harsh local terrain made agriculture difficult, but like other towns along the coast, it thrived on the production of royal purple (or Tyrian dye). In 1996, a team from the University of Maryland conducted investigations. Aperlai underwater research was carried out in 2009 with the support of the Suna-İnan Kıraç Research Institute for Mediterranean Civilizations.