The basilica unearthed in Bursa served both as a court and a religious structure in the early Roman era. AA Photo
Posted on 05/07/2014 6:52:56 PM PDT by SunkenCiv
Excavations at a tower in the Tophane portion of Bursa’s city walls have revealed a basilica from the early Roman era that could be one of the oldest structures ever discovered in the northwestern province.
Architect İbrahim Yılmaz, who has been conducting the restoration projects on Bursa’s city walls, said the Tophane city walls restoration project included an area of 1,200 square meters from the north of the Saltanat Gate to the Kaplıca Gate...
Speaking about the technical features of the basilica, Yılmaz said: “There is a round apse [the place for religious ceremonies] and a window bay in front of it. In the middle of the basilica is a nave and two rooms on its right and left sides. One of these rooms is in the northeast of the apse and the other is in its southeast.
The name of the first room is the diokonikon, which is home to holy objects, and the other is the prosthesis, where gifts are accepted and kept. In the northwest of the apse there is a burial chamber, in which there is the skeleton of a priest.”
Yılmaz said the ongoing excavations in the basilica aimed to unearth its entrance, namely the narthex and the atrium.
“The emergence of the basilica, which is very unique and had not been known so far, will increase the position of Bursa in the history of culture. Restoration works that will be carried out after excavations will boost the city’s tourism,” he said.
(Excerpt) Read more at hurriyetdailynews.com ...
The basilica unearthed in Bursa served both as a court and a religious structure in the early Roman era. AA Photo
elsewhere in Turkey:
Treasure hunters destroy tomb
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/treasure-hunters-destroy-tomb.aspx?pageID=238&nID=65958&NewsCatID=375
Bursa’s in Turkey ....
Sounds painful
Burkas in Turkey too.
I think Ballista had to flee Cuba, not sure where he’s buried.
Wait, no...
Sounds like they need a good chiropractor.
So what are these people hoping to conceal?
Basilicas were all purpose Roman public buildings, often hosting the law courts. When Christians began worshiping in basilicas, the design became associated with Christian churches.
Bursa is a big industrial city today, but my recollection is that is was not particularly important in Roman times. Could be interesting to see the scale of provincial public buildings.
The actual estimate of the construction date should be illuminating.
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