Skeleton of ancient woman unearthed in Turkey's southwest

MUĞLA – Anadolu Agency

A 1,300-year- old skeleton of a young woman has been unearthed in the ancient city of Stratonikeia in the southwestern province of Muğla’s Yatağan district. 

Excavation head and Pamukkale University Archaeology Department academic Prof. Bilal Söğüt said work had been carried out in the ancient city’s Western Street and they had found many pieces from the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine and Beylik periods. 

“We are also working in the city’s graveyard and found the graves of adults and children. Recently we found a 120-centimeter-tall skeleton in one of the graves. We believe it belongs to a young woman who died some 1,300 years ago,” he said. 

Söğüt said the grave was a Byzantine structure, adding the skeleton would be taken under protection after cleaning. 

He also noted they were working in the ruins of a church in the ancient city, saying its floor was covered with marble-made geometric designs. 

“The church’s floor coverings from the Hellenistic era to the Turkish era have survived,” he said. 

Söğüt also said that a 2,400-year-old sarcophagus which was found in the ancient city has been put on display. 

Experts worked for a month to rebuild the sarcophagus from 18 pieces before it was put on display for visitors, he said.