Archaeologists stumble upon a Byzantine structure while cleaning the rubble of a Turkish house destroyed by 2023 earthquake

A valuable find was made in Turkey while clearing the rubble after the 2023 earthquake. Archaeologists discovered a Byzantine structure dating back to the V-VI centuries AD.

The brick building was found under the rubble of a destroyed building in the Turkish city of Antakya, which was severely damaged during the terrible disaster. Efforts to restore important historical and religious monuments in the area have already begun under the leadership of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Turkey in partnership with the European Union, Heritage Daily reports.

According to official reports, the found structure is located five meters underground and has a semicircular barrel-vaulted ceiling with wall niches decorated with Byzantine-style arches. Experts believe that the building dates back to the fifth or sixth century AD and probably served as a chapel or tomb in the Byzantine era.

Acting Director of the Hatay Archaeological Museum Ali Çelikay emphasized that the discovery will be a valuable addition to the history of Antakya. He noted that the unique design of the building gives an idea of the architectural and cultural practices of the Byzantine period.

According to the experts, further research will be conducted at the site to determine the original function of the building.

Subsequently, the Ministry plans to integrate this discovery into local tourism initiatives, which will make the region more attractive for visitors.

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