Sarcophagus Found In Diyarbakır Belongs To The Roman Period!
Sarcophagus found during restoration works on historical city walls in Diyarbakır
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First sarcophagus found in the city
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In the central Sur district, restoration work continues on the damaged sections of the 5,000-year-old Diyarbakır city walls, which are on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List. Teams investigating the area detected a Roman “sarcophagus” between the bastion number 75 and Saint George Church, the first of its kind in the city.
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Temporarily on display at the İçkale Museum Complex
The sarcophagus, which has 2 lids, is 2 meters 24 centimeters long and 82 centimeters high, was removed with a crane with sensitive work. The examination of the hull part of the sarcophagus revealed that it was made of monolithic limestone.
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Stating that a sarcophagus was found at the entrance of the right side of the bastion during the archaeological excavations, Koç said:
“The lid part of the sarcophagus consists of two parts. The boat part also consists of a monolithic whole. The sarcophagus is made of limestone, length 224, width 82, height 116 centimeters. On one side of the sarcophagus, there is a cross, which we define as the ‘Maltese Cross’, in a circular circle formed with relief technique. On the lid, on the front sides of the lotus parts, there is also a cross created with the pickaxe technique.”
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Stating that they continue their work in the area between Saint George Church, the old prison and the bastion number 75, Koç continued as follows:
“Most probably this is the cemetery area of the church. Excavations continue. It is possible to find similar data. As a result of the archaeological excavations, a sarcophagus was found for the first time in Diyarbakır.”