Denizli: Archaeologists working in the ancient city of Colossae, located in Trkiye's Aegean region, have uncovered 60 tombs dating back approximately 2,200 years. The discovery sheds light on burial practices in the region and highlights the historical significance of Colossae.
According to Anadolu Agency, this discovery is notable because while similar tomb types have been found elsewhere in Anatolia, it is uncommon to find such a large number of them constructed side by side in a confined area. Archaeologist Baris Yener shared that their team uncovered what appears to be the largest necropolis in Anatolia, featuring rock-cut, trough-shaped tombs. After removing the surface soil, they identified around 65 tombs, of which they excavated 60, alongside skeletal fragments and significant archaeological data.
Yener emphasized that the ancient inhabitants of Colossae made efficient use of the land by choosing travertine formations as burial grounds. During antiquity, agriculture, particularly grain production, was important, so arable land was preserved by designating rocky travertine areas for burials.
The site also holds potential for faith tourism, as research findings suggest the ancient inhabitants placed great importance on protective belief systems. Yener explained that the findings reveal the community's value in magic, talismans, and objects believed to have protective powers. Numerous amulets, charms, and stones with perceived healing qualities were discovered in the tombs, offering insights into the community's spiritual practices and the connection between funerary rituals and everyday religious life.
The excavations also uncovered terracotta and glass bottles, oil lamps believed to illuminate both daily life and the journey after death, coins, and personal belongings like sandals, which were identified as grave goods.
Yener noted that the findings help fill a chronological gap in the region's history, providing a continuous stream of information from the Late Chalcolithic Age to the Turkification of Honaz in 1206. Colossae, once a prominent city during the Persian period and significant in the history of Christianity during Roman and Byzantine rule, gradually lost its prominence due to the founding of neighboring cities and earthquakes.
The excavations in Colossae began after three years of surface surveys, led by Yener from Pamukkale University, as part of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism's Heritage for the Future Project. Situated within modern-day Denizli province, at the foothills of Mount Honaz, Colossae was a key trade center from the 6th century BC and is known for its wool and textile production. Ongoing archaeological work continues to reveal new insights into its past.