Archaeologists uncover 2,200-year-old necropolis in western Türkiye

Archaeologists uncover 2,200-year-old necropolis in western Türkiye
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Archaeologists excavating the ancient city of Colossae in Türkiye’s Aegean region have discovered 60 tombs dating back around 2,200 years, forming what experts describe as one of Anatolia’s largest necropolises.

Lead archaeologist Barış Yener from Pamukkale University said the team identified about 65 tombs carved into travertine rock, with 60 now excavated. Alongside skeletal remains, researchers found amulets, charms, and healing stones, indicating strong local beliefs in protective magic and spirituality.

“The people of Colossae used rocky travertine areas for burials to preserve fertile land for agriculture,” Yener told Anadolu Agency, noting that the artifacts reveal deep connections between daily life, faith, and funerary rituals. Items such as oil lamps, terracotta bottles, coins, and sandals were also unearthed.

The findings, part of Türkiye’s Heritage for the Future Project, help fill a historical gap from the Late Chalcolithic era to the Turkification of Honaz in 1206, offering new insights into the region’s Persian, Roman, and Byzantine heritage.