Archaeological excavations in Diyarbakır’s Kulp district have revealed one of the most striking discoveries in recent years: a cemetery containing 160 children and two adults, buried within 112 stone graves. This extraordinary find sheds new light on the funerary practices of the Roman and Byzantine eras in Anatolia.
⚒️ From a Roman Quarry to a Byzantine Cemetery
The excavation, carried out under the supervision of the Diyarbakır Museum Directorate, began in 2021 after the discovery of a bronze cross during a surface survey in İnkaya neighborhood.
The area, once a Roman-era stone quarry in the 3rd and 4th centuries, was later repurposed as a cemetery during the Byzantine period. Archaeologists identified that the quarry terraces had been filled with nearly 4 meters of soil deposits before graves were carved into the stone floor.
🧒 The Discovery of 160 Children’s Graves
In 2023, excavations intensified when archaeologists uncovered child burials within the site. After two years of careful digging, the team documented:
- 112 graves in total
- 162 individuals buried
- Of these, 160 were children and infants, while only 2 belonged to adults
Most graves were stone sarcophagi (stone chests), while some were isolated burials placed directly into the ground.
🎁 Grave Goods and “Funerary Offerings”
Excavation leader Müjdat Gizligöl, acting director of the Diyarbakır Museum, explained that “burial gifts” were also discovered inside some graves. These grave goods—small artifacts placed with the dead—may have had religious, cultural, or symbolic significance during the Byzantine era.
The findings underline how belief systems shaped burial customs and reveal a glimpse into the spiritual life of the community that lived nearly 1,600 years ago.
🔬 Ongoing Scientific Research
Although the excavation phase officially ended in 2025, research continues in laboratories.
- 160 skeletons belong to infants and children aged 0–9 years
- A specialized team of anthropologists and bioarchaeologists is analyzing the bones
- Studies will determine causes of death, health conditions, and possible epidemics that might have affected the community
These results will not only provide insights into child mortality rates in the Byzantine world but also shed light on disease, nutrition, and medical practices of the era.
📌 Why This Discovery Matters
The İnkaya excavations highlight several key points in archaeological research:
- Transformation of space: from a Roman quarry to a Byzantine cemetery
- Child mortality: high rates of infant burials reflect the harsh living conditions of the time
- Cultural heritage: artifacts and grave goods show the belief systems of early Christian communities in Anatolia
This discovery is not only crucial for Turkish archaeology but also adds to the global understanding of late Roman and Byzantine history.
🌐 External References
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