1,800-year-old sarcophagus found in İzmir: Belongs to a Roman gladiator

With the permission of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the support of certain institutions and organizations, the Ayasuluk Hill and St. Jean Monument excavations, Hatay Mustafa Kemal University Faculty member of the Department of Art History Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sinan Mimaroğlu is leading the efforts. Most recently, the excavation team from the Roman period unearthed a sarcophagus containing 12 skeletons, which was discovered. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ertan Yıldız conducted the epigraphic study of the sarcophagus, which was determined to belong to a Roman gladiator named 'Euphrates'. The sarcophagus features epic inscriptions on the exterior, while the interior was determined to have been reworked in the 5th century A.D. 3 cross reliefs are present.

The sarcophagus, similar to those found in imperial sarcophagi in Istanbul, on Marmara Island, and in Syria, is estimated to date back to the 3rd century AD.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sinan Mimaroğlu stated that what surprised them during the work was finding a water channel, a terracotta pipe system, and mosaics just 20 centimeters below the surface, as well as one sarcophagus and three sarcophagus-shaped masonry graves in the area, with 12 individuals discovered inside the sarcophagus. Pointing out that there was a mass burial inside the sarcophagus, Mimaroğlu “The sarcophagus is a Roman sarcophagus. It also features a very beautiful epic inscription on it. It belongs to a Roman gladiator. It was reused during the Christian era by carving three cross reliefs on the inside” he said.

PLACED IN THE 7TH AND 8TH CENTURIES

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mimaroğlu stated that according to initial data, they believe the crosses on the inside of the sarcophagus were carved in the 5th century, and that it may have been placed here in the 7th and 8th centuries based on the crosses on the tomb lid. He added that they were able to prove with archaeological data that the sarcophagus was placed there after the reign of Justinian I, after the mosaic on the lower layer was broken.

'THERE ARE EXAMPLES'

Providing information about the cross reliefs inside the tombs, Mimaroğlu said, "We usually see examples of sarcophagi with crosses on imperial sarcophagi found in Istanbul, but we know that these were made of higher-quality material. A similar sarcophagus has been found on Marmara Island. There is also one in Syria, but the cross shapes are different. We are continuing to scan for parallel examples for our publication study." he said.

'FIRST IN EPHESUS'

Stating that there is evidence that the area was the first Ephesus from early periods, Mimaroğlu continued his words as follows:

"We have ceramics belonging to the second millennium BC, and the Early, Middle, and Late Bronze Ages. We conducted our work this year in the South Cross arm of the St. John Church. The first excavations of the church were started by the Greek archaeologist Soteriou in 1921-1922. They have been continuing under my direction since 2020."

'A MARBLE FLOOR WAS UNCOVERED'

Stating that they conducted ground-penetrating radar work in the area in 2023, Mimaroğlu emphasized that there were also previous soundings conducted there by Hörmann. Continuing his remarks, Mimaroğlu said, “He obtained some data as a result of the discoveries he made during these soundings. We conducted excavations in a wider area to verify this data. A marble floor emerged. The marble floor covering located at the very top belongs to the period of Justinian I, that is, the 6th century. It has been proven that what was uncovered this year belongs to a 5th-century floor covering.” he stated.