Achaeologists carrying out excavations at an olive grove in Turkey’s northwestern Bursa province have discovered a terracotta sarcophagus from the late Roman period, reports said Friday.
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| Credit: İnternet Haber |
The unique grave was discovered near Hisardere neighbourhood in Iznik (Greek Nikaia) district, famous for its pottery and tiles.
The tomb contained skeletons of two humans, experts said, adding that no artifacts or valuables were found inside, which indicates that they belonged to ordinary people.
The area had been put under protection by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism after illegal excavations by treasure hunters revealed a graveyard with sarcophagi.
The excavations are coordinated by Professor Dr. Ekin Meriç from Dokuz Eylül University’s Archaeology Department, and aim to uncover other ancient artefacts and graves near the area.
Experts believe that the area could be a necropolis — a large and ancient cemetery with elaborate burial chambers.
In September 2017, police teams searching the area for a stolen truck discovered a sarcophagus from the Late Antiquity period in the same area.
Another sarcophagus belonging to a queen was found near the area in 2015. It was also thought to be from the Late Antiquity period and weighed 7 tons. When it was discovered, officials found that treasure hunters had already found and raided it.
The area where the tombs were found has historically been referred to as the Bithynia region, which became a Roman province in 74 BC.
Burial chambers previously discovered in the region also had depictions of mythological figures, such as the Greek god of love Eros, as well as Hercules and Medusa.
Source: Daily Sabah [July 12, 2019]
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