Archaeologists find a vault under earthquake rubble

Archaeologists are conducting a rescue excavation after a vaulted structure was discovered in Antakya, Türkiye.

The structure was discovered under the rubble of a two-story house on Kurtuluş Street that collapsed during the 2023 Kahramanmaras earthquake.

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The earthquake caused significant damage to many of the street’s significant historical and religious buildings, which are now being restored as part of a revitalization project led by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism with support from the European Union (EU).

According to the government, the brick structure was found during debris clearance operations and is accessible via stairs that descend to a depth of five meters below street level.

The interior features a semicircular barrel-vaulted ceiling and a series of wall niches decorated with characteristic Byzantine-style arches.

Archaeologists suspect that the structure dates back to around the 5th or 6th century AD and may have served as a small chapel or tomb during the Byzantine period.

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Ali Çelikay, Acting Director of Hatay Archaeological Museum, emphasized the significance of the site and provided new insights into Antakya’s rich historical heritage.

After further research to determine the structure’s function, Çelikay explained that the intention is to integrate the discovery into the region’s tourism offer.

Header image source: AA

Sources: Ministry of Culture and Tourism

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