Exciting discovery in church ruins in Diyarbakır: Exactly 1500 years old

A starfish fossil has been reached in 1500-year-old church ruins discovered during archaeological excavations in the Kulp district of Diyarbakır.

Following the discovery of a coin belonging to the Byzantine Emperor Anastasius I during surface surveys conducted in different areas of the İnkaya neighborhood, excavations initiated by the Diyarbakır Museum Directorate in 2021 in the area in question are continuing with the participation of 40 people, 15 of whom are experts.

Work resumed on June 28 this year in the area, which was identified as church ruins containing 46 graves, coins, oil lamps, columns, and column bases during excavations carried out last year.

In the excavations in the area where 9 more graves were identified this year, fragments belonging to an amphora and a 5-armed starfish fossil were found.

The findings obtained during the work have been taken under protection at the excavation house belonging to the Museum Directorate, where they were taken for examination.

The excavation is planned to continue until the end of the year, provided that weather conditions permit.