Remnants of early Byzantine chapel, mosaics unearthed in southern Turkey

Archaeologists said Wednesday that they have found remnants of a 1,600-year-old Byzantine chapel in the Elbeyli district of Kilis, in southern Turkey. The team also uncovered a floor mosaic and an ancient inscription dating back to the early Byzantine period during excavations.

The ruins were discovered when security forces found out that illegal excavations were being carried out in the rural district of the town of Sağlıcak, and reported the situation to the Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism who sent a team of archaeologists to the site.

The mosaic, which has been partially destroyed and taken under protection, is planned to be moved to another area.

Excavation work is expected to continue at the site in order to reveal more parts of the mosaic floor, and comprehensive studies will be carried out on it.

Source: Daily Sabah [July 26, 2017]