Early Byzantine church with mosaic floor unearthed in ancient city of Stratonikeia

Researchers have unearthed what they believe to be a 1,500-year-old church along with a mosaic floor in the ancient city of Stratonikeia in southwestern Turkey's Muğla province.

AA Photo

Professor Bilal Söğüt of Pamukkale University, the head of the Stratonikeia excavations, told Anadolu Agency (AA) that archaeologists were finally able to excavate the church in its entirety and discovered a mosaic floor during the process.

The church, which has been dubbed as Erikli Church, is special both in terms of archaeology and architecture, Söğüt explained. "Erikli Church is one of the places to which people gave most donations during the Early Byzantine period," he said, adding that the team found many relics such as crosses, lanterns and even containers from North Africa.

He said some parts of the church, especially the columns, were of high quality both in terms of construction and workmanship. "We will hopefully glimpse how this place looked originally after we are done restoring it," he said.

The church was first used around the fourth century AD and was completely abandoned in the early seventh century, according to Söğüt.

He stated that every year the excavation team uncovers new information about the ancient city.

"Stratonikeia is a living ancient city. It is a unique settlement. There is no other ancient city where you can see structures belonging to the ancient times and the modern times that are all protected until the present day," he said.

Source: Daily Sabah [July 11, 2018]