New findings in the 1,500-year-old church ruins in Diyarbakır

During the archaeological excavation carried out in the district of Kulp in Diyarbakır, a 1,500-year-old church ruins containing 55 graves, in the fourth season of rescue excavation, an ‘amphora’ and a ‘starfish’ fossil were found. The fourth season of the rescue excavation, which started in 2021 in İnkaya Neighborhood, has begun. While 55 graves were found in the church dating back to the 5th-7th centuries AD, on the first day of the excavation, an amphora and a starfish fossil were found. Diyarbakır Museum Deputy Director Mehmet Çelebi told Ihlas News Agency (IHA) correspondent that they conducted a rescue excavation at Silvan Dam under the sponsorship of the State Hydraulic Works (DSİ) under the museum presidency with the permissions of the General Directorate of Cultural Assets and Museums. Çelebi stated that there was an ancient settlement in the area, mentioning, ‘There are church ruins dating back to the 5th-7th centuries AD in the area we are in. In addition to that, there are cisterns, watchtowers, and quarries in the area. Our excavation works regarding this area are ongoing. We have about 25 workers and 15 expert archaeologists in the area. We started our excavation in August 2021, and it is the fourth season of our excavation. It is the first week of the fourth season. Our excavation will continue until the end of 2026. There are graves in the church area. The graves belong to the 10th-11th centuries. Some burial gifts such as earrings, rings, and ceramics were found in these graves,’ he said. Çelebi added, ‘During today’s excavation, a piece of amphora was found, and our excavation is ongoing. In addition, we found a fossil with a starfish on it. The church belongs to the 5th-7th centuries AD Byzantine period. In the excavations we conducted from 2021 to 2024, there are approximately 55 simple earthen graves of the sarcophagus type.’