The fortress area was under three archaeological researches; in 1986, trial trenches were carried out here, reflecting a general overview of this site.

Kontopoulos dug several trial trenches near the hippodrome and the altar.

Ernest Chantre opened some trial trenches at the village then called Boğazköy, in 1893-94.

Whenever possible, trial trenches are dug by hand, because these always provide more information than machine-dug trenches of the same size.

The trial trenches that Siferra had sliced in the surrounding alluvial plain stood wide open.

- Then a trial trench, a bold shaft right through the hill, to give us some idea of what we've really got here.

Other trial trenches produced very little of interest.

The trial trenches resulted with a discovery of a villa complex that most likely is constructed during the Late Antique period.

By 2004 there were 43 trenches, 14 trial trenches, and 17 test pits.

A six-yard trial trench, dug at the edge of the site, unearthed 15 bodies.