Ancient Church Dating Back 1,700 Years Discovered in Diyarbakır: Evidence of Byzantine Expansion East of the Euphrates

Archaeologists working in Türkiye’s southeastern Kulp district have uncovered the remains of a Roman-era church built around the mid-4th century A.D.. The discovery, made during excavations led by the Diyarbakır Museum Directorate, has provided striking evidence of Byzantine activity far beyond the traditional boundaries of the empire.

The site, located in the rural village of İnkaya, was first identified in 2021 when a bronze cross was found during a surface survey. Excavations have been carried out since then with a dedicated team of specialists and laborers working under intense summer heat.

A Burial Ground Surrounding the Church

The once-prominent church appears to have been repurposed as a cemetery in later centuries. So far, researchers have documented 124 separate burials, including infants, children, and adults. A mix of stone cist graves and a heavily damaged sarcophagus were uncovered, offering valuable insight into funerary customs in the region.

In addition to the human remains, archaeologists cataloged 30 registered artifacts and over 100 study pieces, including column fragments, lamps, and an unusual fossilized starfish, all of which enrich the historical narrative of the site.

Coins Rewrite the Church’s History

The most significant breakthrough in dating the site came from the discovery of coins. While a coin from Emperor Anastasius I (A.D. 491–518) had suggested the building was approximately 1,500 years old, a newly unearthed coin depicting Emperor Constantius II (A.D. 337–361) pushed its origins back by nearly two centuries.

According to Müjdat Gizligöl, Acting Director of the Diyarbakır Museum:

“This evidence confirms that Byzantine influence reached far beyond the Euphrates earlier than we thought. The site shows signs of a well-established settlement and long-term imperial presence in the region.”

A Glimpse Into the Eastern Roman Frontier

The discovery provides a rare look into the spread of Christianity and imperial power across Anatolia’s eastern frontier. Diyarbakır, strategically located between Mesopotamia and Anatolia, served as a key borderland for the Roman and Byzantine Empires.

Ongoing excavations aim to fully reveal the church’s plan and uncover additional material evidence, which could push the site’s history even further back.