Rare Sealed Medieval Reliquary Cross Discovered at Lystra Ancient City in Central Türkiye

Archaeologists excavating the ancient city of Lystra in central Türkiye have restored a rare medieval bronze reliquary cross discovered intact and permanently sealed, offering valuable insight into early Christian devotional practices in Anatolia. The cross, dated to between the 9th and 11th centuries, was uncovered in a church-associated burial area and is considered exceptional due to its preserved condition.

The discovery was made at Lystra, located in the Meram district of Konya province, a site historically associated with the missionary journeys of Saint Paul. According to Christian tradition, St. Paul visited Lystra during his first journey in the 1st century CE, making the city an important early center for the spread of Christianity in Asia Minor.

The bronze cross consists of two fitted plates joined by a riveting technique, forming a permanently sealed reliquary. Unlike most known examples, which are often found broken or deliberately opened, this cross was discovered exactly as it was manufactured centuries ago. Archaeologists involved in the excavation say this makes the artifact particularly valuable for understanding medieval religious craftsmanship.

Excavation director İlker Mete Mimiroğlu of Necmettin Erbakan University stated that while multiple reliquary crosses have been recovered at Lystra, nearly all were damaged. “This example stood out because it was found completely sealed,” he noted, adding that the cross was carefully cleaned and stabilized rather than opened, to prevent irreversible damage.

Reliquary crosses were widely used in the Byzantine world and medieval Christian communities. Typically worn on the chest or placed in graves, they were designed to contain sacred items such as fragments of saints’ bones, pieces of cloth believed to have touched holy figures, or small portions of the True Cross. These objects were thought to provide spiritual protection, healing, and divine favor to the wearer or the deceased.

In many cases, reliquary crosses were intentionally sealed during production and never meant to be reopened. The sealing itself symbolized the sanctity of the contents and the permanence of faith. Scholars believe that permanently sealed reliquaries like the Lystra example were often created for burial contexts, reinforcing beliefs about protection in the afterlife.

Although a small gap in the cross allowed archaeologists to visually inspect its interior, no clearly identifiable relic was observed. A piece of fabric resembling a burial shroud was visible near the opening, suggesting the cross may once have held a sacred object wrapped in cloth, a common practice in medieval Christian ritual.

The cross is decorated with simple geometric motifs, consistent with regional Byzantine metalwork of the Middle Ages. Its modest design suggests it may have belonged to a cleric or a devout member of the local Christian community rather than an elite figure.

Lystra itself holds deep historical and religious significance. Founded as a Roman colony, the city flourished during the early imperial period and later became part of the Byzantine world. In Christian tradition, Lystra is remembered as the place where St. Paul healed a crippled man and was subsequently stoned by hostile crowds, surviving and continuing his mission. The city later became a bishopric, underscoring its long-standing religious role.

Archaeological excavations at Lystra have revealed churches, burials, inscriptions, and everyday objects that document the city’s transformation from a Roman settlement into a Christian center. The presence of multiple reliquary crosses at the site highlights the strength of Christian belief in the region during the medieval period.

Excavations at Lystra are being conducted under the supervision of Necmettin Erbakan University with the support of Türkiye’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism and local authorities. Researchers hope that continued work will further illuminate how faith, craftsmanship, and daily life intersected in central Anatolia during the Byzantine era.

The sealed reliquary cross now stands as a rare and powerful symbol of medieval Christian devotion—one that has survived untouched for nearly a thousand years beneath the soil of Lystra.

Cover Image Credit: AA