In Turkey, the workers during construction works in Izmir came across a stone coffin, which contained human remains and fragments of ceramics and Golden diadems.
according to The History Blog, the sarcophagus, the workers found when digging foundations in the historic district of Konak. About the discovery, they immediately reported to the Ministry of culture and tourism. Construction work was suspended. Archaeologists began excavations and conservation of the object.
the result was excavated a well-preserved stone sarcophagus, on top of which was covered with a stone slab. Radiocarbon Dating, scientists have not yet carried out. However, they believe that the find belongs to the II century of our era.
It was the Roman period, when the territory of modern Turkish Izmir was a Greek city of Smyrna. At that time he had just reached the peak of its prosperity. The presence in the burial of the Golden diadems indicates that the sarcophagus was buried, the representative or the representative of upper class, perhaps, of the ruling family.
the Remains of the diadem was carefully extracted from the earth and sent to the laboratory for testing. Such findings are extremely rare. To establish the identity of the deceased person are unlikely to succeed.
Smyrna is one of the oldest settlements of the Mediterranean. This Greek city was founded around the year 1000 BC. It flourished through agriculture and trade and was for centuries one of the most important cities in the Mediterranean basin.
In 545 BC, when Cyrus the Great, Smyrna was destroyed by Persian forces. To the Greeks she was returned after Alexander the great defeated the Persian army of Darius III in the year 333 BC. It was under Alexander the Great, Smyrna regained the lost status.
it is Known that in the year 124 ad, the city was visited by Emperor Hadrian. 178 year, Smyrna was destroyed by a powerful earthquake. The city was rebuilt by order of Marcus Aurelius. Most of the surviving buildings in this Roman era include the period of extensive renovation.
By the way, the researchers plan to continue excavations at the site of the finds. They suggest that this could be a necropolis, so found the sarcophagus may not be the only. Izmir Council for preservation of cultural heritage has already declared the area an archaeological monument of the third degree.
