27 May 2025 The Future is the Product of the Past

Hellenistic cremation tomb found in Istanbul’s Haydarpasa excavations

A brick tomb belonging to the Hellenistic period (330 BC – 30 BC) was found during the Haydarpaşa excavations, which shed light on Kadıköy’s history for four years.

The discovery is the only model from that period, apart from the Hellenistic platform unearthed at the excavation site.

Since 2018, the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure and Ministry of Culture and Tourism has been carrying out archaeological excavations on 300 decares square meters in Haydarpaşa and its surroundings.

The excavations, which have been continuing for nearly four years, shed light on the history of Kadikoy from the 5th century BC to the early era of the Turkish Republic.

Rahmi Asal, Director of the Istanbul Archaeological Museums, declared about the brick tomb unearthed during the excavations, that the sides and top of the tomb were covered.

What makes the find particularly interesting is that the tomb was used for cremation.

Hellenistic cremation tomb
What makes the find particularly interesting is that the tomb was used for cremation. Photo: AA

“This is a very significant discovery. It is the only thing from the Hellenistic period found here, apart from the Hellenistic platform previously dug up. This is very valuable. It is one of the oldest finds in this area,” he told Anadolu Agency.

According to the preliminary analysis, the body was cremated inside the tomb, but the skeleton and other remains survived the blaze and have now been unearthed, Asal explained.

He said a terracotta goblet and a perfume bottle, both of them with visible marks of fire damage, were found with the skeletal remains.

“I have never seen this type of a cremation tomb from the Hellenistic period. Perhaps this will give us many more valuable insights,” he added.

At the same area 2400 of 18 thousand coins were taken of 70,000 finds carried from the area to the workshop continues, Asal said that 18 thousand coins were identified, 2400 were taken into the inventory, and that there are around 10 thousand coins that have not been cleaned yet; “We will work on the remains next month…The site contains a very intricate group of archaeological remains and finds. Each remains was touched from time to time for different needs and Phases were formed. It is not easy to detect it either…There was a lot of intervention because the train tracks pass through here. It has become a bit difficult to identify the remains, unfortunately.”, emphasizing that the area was known as the western port of Chalcedon in ancient sources, and this was also determined by concrete documents in the excavations.

Ancient artifacts are seen at the Haydarpaşa excavation area in Kadıköy, Istanbul.  (AA Photo)
Ancient artifacts are seen at the Haydarpaşa excavation area in Kadıköy, Istanbul. Photo: AA

Asal continued: “In addition, the port and trade life, private life, shopping methods, this is a military transit point and accommodation area during the Ottoman period. We have obtained very important details and realities about this region’s history with traces, pottery and coins belonging to the periods “.

A 5th-century church built in the name of St. Bassa was also discovered last year.

Rahmi Asal affirmed too that one of the two important findings determined by the researchers from ancient sources is the Church of St. Ephemia and the other is the Church of St. Bassa.

These artifacts shed light on the history of the 15-million megapolis and the Asian district of Kadıköy, where the ancient city of Chalcedon once stood.

Related Articles

Neanderthals caused ecosystems to change 125,000 years ago

16 December 2021

16 December 2021

Researchers say Neanderthals changed the ecosystem by turning forests into grasslands 125,000 years ago. Around 125,000 years ago, these close...

Ancient Funerary Stones Looted from Yemen Will Be Exhibited at the Victoria & Albert Museum

14 September 2023

14 September 2023

The Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A) has signed a historic agreement with the Yemeni government to temporarily keep and display...

Evidence of Medieval Scotland in Inverness revealed by building work

19 June 2021

19 June 2021

Archaeologists in Scotland have discovered medieval remains during excavations for construction work, and they are exposing mysteries about the industrial...

A New Picene Prince Tomb Dating to the 7th Century BC with Two Chariots Discovered in Corinaldo, Italy

29 July 2024

29 July 2024

Following the discovery of the so-called ‘Prince of Corinaldo’ in 2018, archaeologists from the University of Bologna have discovered a...

Thetford Hoard: Evidence of Continued Paganism in East Anglia Until the 5th Century

25 April 2025

25 April 2025

Recent discoveries from a treasure hoard unearthed in Thetford Forest, East Anglia, reveal compelling evidence that the region remained pagan...

Largest Headhunting Massacre of Women and Children in Neolithic China

12 November 2023

12 November 2023

A new study discovers that ancient headless skeletons discovered in mass graves in China are the remains of victims who...

Archeological park to be built at suburban Shanghai ancient ruins site in China

20 October 2021

20 October 2021

An archeological park will be built at the Qinglong Town ruins site of Baihe in Qingpu District as part of...

A collection of 430 burial objects found in the tomb of a 3000-year-old Noblewoman in China

11 April 2024

11 April 2024

A tomb belonging to a noblewoman dating back about 3,000 years has been unearthed in North China’s Shanxi Province. The...

Rare 3,500-Year-Old Chariot Wheel Discovered at Inverness Golf Course

24 April 2025

24 April 2025

Archaeologists have discovered a rare prehistoric chariot wheel at the site of a future golf course near Inverness. The discovery...

460-Year-Old Wooden Hunting Bow Found in Alaska’s Lake Clark

11 March 2022

11 March 2022

In late September 2021, National Park Service employees made an unlikely discovery in Lake Clark National Park and Preserve in...

Newly Discovered Two Fortress Settlements and a New Type of Open-Air Temple in Eastern Anatolia Region of Türkiye

26 March 2024

26 March 2024

Two fortress settlements and two new open-air temples were discovered during a survey in Tunceli province in the Eastern Anatolia...

The Oldest Evidence of Stone Blade Production in Southern Arabia: 80,000-Year-Old Stone Blades Discovered

21 February 2025

21 February 2025

An international team of researchers led by Knut Bretzke of Friedrich Schiller University Jena uncovered 80,000-year-old stone blades at the...

Archaeologists have discovered 85 ancient tombs, a watchtower, and a temple site in Egypt’s Gabal al-Haridi region

5 May 2022

5 May 2022

The Egyptian archaeological mission discovered 85 tombs, a watchtower, and a temple site in the Gabal al-Haridi area of Sohag,...

Khufu Boat moved to its New Museum by Smart Vehicle

8 August 2021

8 August 2021

A 4,600-year-old intact wooden boat bearing the name of an Egyptian pharaoh, Khufu, was transported to a new museum about...

Statue heads of “Aphrodite” and “Dionysus” were found in Aizanoi Ancient City in Turkey’s

30 October 2021

30 October 2021

The statue heads of Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty, and Dionysus, the god of wine, were unearthed in...