Key Takeaways:
– A Roman gladiator’s tomb from the third century BC was discovered during excavations in the Selçuk district of İzmir, Turkey.
– The tomb was repurposed in the fifth century AD for collective burial, with 12 skeletons found inside.
– The site may be the first location of Ephesus, with ceramics dating back to the second millennium BC discovered.
– The tomb’s repurposing and cross-relief decorations indicate it was used during the Christian era.
– The sarcophagus bears a striking inscription and was identified as belonging to a Roman gladiator named Euphrates.
Historic Find in Turkey’s İzmir Region
An archaeological team led by associate professor Sinan Mimaroğlu from the Department of Art History at Hatay Mustafa Kemal University stumbled upon an extraordinary find in the Selçuk district of İzmir, Turkey. They uncovered a sarcophagus believed to have belonged to a Roman gladiator named Euphrates dating to the third century BC. Remarkably, the sarcophagus was later repurposed in the fifth century AD to inter a total of 12 individuals.
Intricate Decorations and Inscriptions Uncovered
The sarcophagus is adorned with elaborate inscriptions, providing an epic narrative of the deceased. Interestingly, with its conversion to Christian use, three cross reliefs were added inside the tomb. Similar sarcophagi have been discovered in Istanbul, on Marmara Island, and in Syria.
The archaeological team was astonished to unearth a collection of historical items, such as a water channel, pipe system, mosaics, a sarcophagus, and three stone graves shaped like sarcophagi, only 20 centimeters below the ground.
Mimaroğlu detailed their findings, saying, “The sarcophagus…belonged to a Roman gladiator and was repurposed during the Christian period with three cross reliefs added inside.”
Church Burials Indicate High Status
In the church where the sarcophagus was discovered, burying individuals within its grounds was an honor usually reserved for high-ranking individuals or clergy members. This would suggest that the buried individuals were likely of significant importance during their lifetime.
The sarcophagus featuring cross reliefs, according to Mimaroğlu, are typically seen in imperial burials in Istanbul. However, those are usually crafted from more premium materials. The excavation team is currently searching for comparable examples to add to their research for future publication.
Unraveling the Layers of History
The site also holds promise for unearthing earlier historical periods. For instance, the discovery of ceramics from as far back as the second millennium BC indicates that the site could be the original location of Ephesus. Thus, the excavation process has become a task of unraveling layers upon layers of history.
The mosaics and the marble floor, dating back to the time of Justinian I, were carefully removed and placed elsewhere. The discoveries are aplenty with new finds confirming older ones, creating a fascinating historical puzzle.
Continuing Excavations Unveil More Surprises
With constant ongoing excavations since 2020, numerous surprises are still being unearthed. This includes a water channel system and stunning mosaics revealing intricate designs. The marble floor precision-dated to the fifth century is another significant find.
The painstaking process of excavating such a significant historical site continues with promising results, contributing valuable knowledge to global heritage and history.
This discovery sheds new light on Roman history in Turkey and is being hailed by archaeologists globally. The site continues to reveal its secrets through further extensive excavation, earning the attention and admiration of historians worldwide.