The Bayraklı Mound and its surrounding have been a place of interest for the travelers and archaeologists since the 19th century. Helene Miltner published an article on the remains in the 1930’s.

The first systematic excavations in the ancient city were carried of by an English -Turkish joint team led by Prof.Dr. John M. Cook and Prof.Dr. Ekrem Akurgal between 1948 and 1951. The British team finished their works in Turkey after the Second World War after resuming their projects in Greece. Ord. Prof. Dr. Ekrem Akurgal continued the field works without interruption from 1966 to 1993. Excavations are still carried out under the direction of Prof.Dr. Meral Akurgal.