3 July 2025 The Future is the Product of the Past

1,500-Year-Old Stained Glass and Mosaics Discovered at Harran Cathedral Excavation in Türkiye

Recent excavations at the historic Harran archaeological site, which is included on UNESCO’s World Heritage Tentative List, have yielded rare mosaic tiles and stained glass fragments that are conjecturally dated to the fifth century, positioning them among the oldest known examples in the region.

These remarkable artifacts are believed to have adorned the grand cathedral, a significant architectural feature of one of the world’s earliest settlements.

According to Professor Dr. Mehmet Önal, the site director of the Archaeology Department at Harran University, the recent and rare findings uncovered during the excavation of the cathedral ruins offer valuable insights into the architectural design of this historic structure.

 Professor Önal emphasized the significance of the discovery, stating, “This is not an ordinary basilica. With a length exceeding 50 meters (656.1 feet), we classify it as Harran’s cathedral—a structure that is considerably larger than a standard church.”

The cathedral, situated 200 meters north of the renowned Harran Ulu Mosque, has revealed significant portions of its northern nave, walls, and intricately carved column capitals. Excavators have also uncovered three rare doors facing north, which further emphasize the architectural significance of the structure.

The excavation team has uncovered a series of remarkable artifacts, including golden tesserae—small mosaic pieces renowned for their use in creating stunning wall art. These fragments, discovered within the arches and vaults of the cathedral, indicate a level of intricate ornamentation that likely adorned the entire structure, highlighting its artistic and architectural significance.

Artifacts unearthed during excavations at Harran Cathedral, Sanliurfa, Türkiye. Credit: AA
Artifacts unearthed during excavations at Harran Cathedral, Sanliurfa, Türkiye. Credit: AA

Professor Önal highlighted the discovery of gold-gilded glass mosaic tesserae utilized in the construction of the cathedral’s walls, arches, and vaults, noting that fallen brick vaults had also been previously unearthed. He expressed optimism regarding the potential discovery of floor mosaics, stating, ” Given that Harran is closely associated with Prophet Abraham and is considered his ancestral city, we expect to find a depiction of Abraham in the mosaics.”

Art historians have conducted examinations of the artifacts, including colored glass pieces embedded in plaster, which have been classified as stained glass. Professor Önal noted that their collective assessments indicate that these findings may represent some of the earliest examples in the region.

“Our analysis suggests that the church is one of the early Byzantine churches in this area, which is why these stained glass pieces are regarded as the earliest in the region, dating back to the fifth century. Therefore, the first instances of colored glass in this region may be observed here,” he explained.

The stained glass fragments, in shades of blue, green, and purple, were likely part of the cathedral’s windows.

Harran Cathedral’s rare stained glass fragments. Credit: AA
Harran Cathedral’s rare stained glass fragments. Credit: AA

The excavation has also revealed a collection of glass artifacts, including intricately designed vessels that are believed to have been used for baptisms or for carrying holy water.

Professor Önal emphasized the historical significance of the cathedral, stating that it serves as a treasure trove of history, with each artifact contributing to a deeper understanding of Harran’s role in early Christianity and its artistic heritage.

In conclusion, the ongoing excavations at the Harran archaeological site continue to unveil significant artifacts that shed light on the region’s rich historical and cultural heritage. The discoveries, including intricate glass vessels and ancient mosaics, not only enhance our understanding of Harran’s role in early Christianity but also highlight its artistic legacy. As the excavation team persists in their work, further findings are anticipated, promising to deepen our knowledge of this remarkable site and its contributions to the history of the region.

Cover Image Credit: AA

Related Articles

Ancient Latin texts written on papyrus reveal new information about the Roman world

11 January 2023

11 January 2023

Researchers funded by the European Union have deciphered ancient Latin texts written on papyrus. This work could reveal a lot...

An ancient bronze hand may be the oldest and longest example of Vasconic script

20 February 2024

20 February 2024

Researchers have discovered rare evidence of an enigmatic ancient language on a 2,000-year-old bronze hand. The inscription on the hand...

Synchrotron Technique Reveals Mysterious Portrait Underneath Renaissance Painting

16 April 2023

16 April 2023

Conservators and curators from the Art Gallery of New South Wales used the Australian Synchrotron’s advanced imaging technique to learn...

Turkey Adds New Sites to UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List

30 April 2021

30 April 2021

Two additional cultural objects have been added to Turkey’s World Heritage Tentative List, bringing the total number of cultural assets...

Inscriptions That Could Change the History of Turkish Migration to Anatolia Are Disappearing: Esatlı Kaya Inscriptions

30 March 2025

30 March 2025

Researchers made a significant discovery during field research conducted in 1994 in Esatlı village, Mesudiye, Ordu. They introduced a series...

The discovery of a 380-million-year-old heart sheds new light on our bodies’ evolution

16 September 2022

16 September 2022

Researchers from Curtin University have discovered the world’s oldest heart in a ‘beautifully preserved’ ancient jawed fish fossil 380 million...

Tomb of a Roman doctor buried with unique surgical tools unearthed in Hungary

28 April 2023

28 April 2023

Hungarian archaeologists discovered the tomb of a Roman doctor 1st-century man buried with high-quality surgical tools near the city of...

3600 years old Unique ancient drinking bowls on display at Boğazkale Museum

15 August 2021

15 August 2021

The 3,600-year-old fist-shaped drinking bowls found in excavations in Hattusa, the capital of the Hittite Civilization, which shaped the Anatolian...

Archaeologists uncover Europe’s oldest lakeside stilt village behind a fortress of defensive spikes

11 August 2023

11 August 2023

Under the turquoise waters of Lake Ohrid, the “Pearl of the Balkans” Scientists have uncovered what may be one of...

Historic bath set to turn into gastronomy gallery

4 May 2024

4 May 2024

Built between 1520 and 1540 in the Sur district of the eastern province of Diyarbakır, the historic Çardaklı Hamam is...

Roman Bath and Magnificent Mosaics Used as Stables by the Villagers For Many Years

3 January 2025

3 January 2025

Archaeological excavations in the ancient city of Herakleia in Muğla’s Milas district in western Türkiye unearthed a striking discovery from...

Archaeologists may have found Lyobaa, the Zapotec Land of the Dead

1 July 2023

1 July 2023

An archaeological team from the Lyobaa project has confirmed the existence of a vast Zapotec underground complex in their study...

Archaeologists Unearth Roman Archive of Ancient City of Doliche

20 November 2023

20 November 2023

Archaeologists from the Asia Minor Research Center at the University of Münster have uncovered the municipal archive in the ancient...

New AI Tool ‘Fragmentarium’ Brings Ancient Babylonian Texts Together

6 February 2023

6 February 2023

An artificial intelligence (AI) bot was developed by linguists at the Institute for Assyriology at Ludwig Maximilian University in Germany...

New Discoveries at Ancient Greek City of Paestum’s ‘Little Doric Temple’ in Italy

16 April 2023

16 April 2023

Archaeologists have made a series of extraordinary discoveries that may fundamentally alter the understanding of the past of the ancient...