Sarcophagus found in sand pit

DENİZLİ – Anadolu Agency

Two skeletons have been discovered in a sarcophagus found in a sand pit near the ancient city of Tripolis in the western province of Denizli’s Buldan district. The skeletons were estimated to belong to a couple who lived 18 centuries ago. 

The head of excavations in the ancient city, Associated Professor Bahadır Duman, said the cover of the sarcophagus was seen during work in the sand pit and the officials of the pit informed them about it. 

He said in collaboration with the Denizli Museum, they had unearthed an ancient tomb, adding the tomb might date back to the 2nd or 3rd century, considering the descriptions on it, including the figures of Greek gods Hermes, Narcissus, Heracles and Thanatos.  

“Two people are lying inside the tomb. Most probably, a husband and a wife,” Duman said. 

He said the skeletons were 1.65 centimeters long and weighed about 60 kilograms. “They may have died of an epidemic,” he added.