18 September 2025 The Future is the Product of the Past

Rock tombs dating back 1,800 years have been discovered in Turkey’s ancient city of Blaundus

In the ancient city of Blaundus, located in the Ulubey neighborhood of the western Anatolian city of Uşak, 400 rock-cut graves dating back roughly 1,800 years and decorated with various motifs were discovered.

Excavations continue in the ancient city of Blaundus, situated on a peninsula surrounded by Grand Ulubey Canyon, under the presidency of professor Birol Can of Uşak University’s Archaeology Department.

The necropolis was the focus of this year’s effort. These digs uncovered 400 rock tombs featuring multiple rooms, adorned with unique themes of vine branches, bunches of grapes, and flowers.

Excavation head professor Birol Can tell Anadolu Agency (AA) that Blaundos was built on a fortified hill.

An aerial view from the rock tombs in the ancient city of Blaundus, Uşak, western Turkey. (AA Photo)
An aerial view from the rock tombs in the ancient city of Blaundus, Uşak, western Turkey. (AA Photo)

“There is only one entrance to the city from the north, and the city is surrounded by a valley reaching a depth of 70 meters (300 feet) in some points. We determined rock-cut tombs in our recent works conducted in the steep sides of the valley. From the analysis of materials and bones, we found in this area, we understand that these rock tombs were intensely used after the A.D. second century. We can say that they were used as family graves.”

Two archaeologists work on the wall motifs of a room inside a rock tomb in the ancient city of Blaundus, Uşak, western Turkey. (AA Photo)
Two archaeologists work on the wall motifs of a room inside a rock tomb in the ancient city of Blaundus, Uşak, western Turkey. (AA Photo)

Can’s team believes there are a lot more burials underground as well. However, Can said that there are different types of rooms in the rock tombs and continued as follows:

Excavations unveiled 400 rock tombs featuring multiple rooms, the walls of which were decorated with special motifs of vine branches, bunches of grapes, and flowers. AA Photo

“There are arched sarcophagi carved into the bedrock in front of the walls of each room. Apart from these, places that are thought to be used for funeral ceremonies were also found inside the rock tombs. The main door of the tombs was closed with a marble door and reopened during burial or ceremony times in the past.”

Excavations unveiled 400 rock tombs featuring multiple rooms, the walls of which were decorated with special motifs of vine branches, bunches of grapes, and flowers. AA Photo

Can stated that while the preservation of the tombs is their first concern, they are also working on programs to promote and open these buildings. Can stated that there would be a walking route that begins at the city gate and circles the tombs: “Within this project, plans have been made to illuminate the area of the tombs. We are planning to make the entire necropolis visitable in the future.”

the ancient city of Blaundus
The ancient city of Blaundus

The ancient city of Blaundus was established by Roman Commander Blaundus as Alexander the Great was off to a campaign in Anatolia. The city was governed by Romans and Byzantines after Alexander the Great. It was the seat of the bishopric in these periods.

Located on a peninsula surrounded by deep valleys, the city’s important buildings include a castle, temples, theater, stadium, and a basilica.

Related Articles

Using Algorithms, Researchers Reassemble Jewish Text Lost Centuries Ago

27 January 2022

27 January 2022

Using new technology, researchers were able to comb a 19th-century text for the original study of a Bible interpretation attributed...

Silk Road archaeological discoveries draw attention despite the pandemic

20 June 2021

20 June 2021

A report prepared by more than 30 global experts believes that despite the COVID-19 pandemic, archaeological discoveries related to the...

Antibiotic bacteria that fight E. coli and other dangerous bugs found in the Roman Baths at Bath in England, “Bath’s waters may really be good for you”

9 June 2024

9 June 2024

The popular Roman Baths in the city of Bath in southwest England are home to a diverse range of microorganisms...

Visit Baalbek’s Famous Temples with a Free 3d Virtual Tour

10 April 2021

10 April 2021

Baalbek, which has traces of settlement since 9000 BC, was one of the cornerstones of ancient civilizations. The famous Baalbek temple...

Man-made Viking-era cave discovered in Iceland Bigger, Older Than Previously Thought

2 June 2022

2 June 2022

Archaeologists from the Archaeological Institute of Iceland have uncovered an extensive system of interconnected structures that are not only much...

Archaeologists have uncovered oldest Roman forum in Hispania, at the site of a named unknown city

3 September 2023

3 September 2023

Archaeologists have uncovered an ancient Roman forum from more than 2,000 years ago at the site of an unknown city...

Possible Location of Medieval Knight Zbylut’s Manor Identified Alongside Discovery of Unknown Burial Crypts

26 April 2025

26 April 2025

In a remarkable archaeological find, researchers have uncovered previously unknown burial crypts within the Gothic Church of St. James the...

3,500-Year-Old Dining Set Found at Konya Karahöyük, in Türkiye

5 September 2025

5 September 2025

Archaeologists in Türkiye have uncovered an extraordinary 3,500-year-old dining set, including a jug, plate, and cup, during excavations at Konya’s...

Temple of Zeus Lepsynos in Turkey regains its glory

9 May 2022

9 May 2022

The temple of Zeus in the ancient city of Euromos in southwestern Turkey regains its original splendor with the revitalization...

Egypt’s Tanis bronze figurines shed light on ancient commerce

19 July 2021

19 July 2021

A research team told that the newly discovered 3,000-year-old bronze figurines recently unearthed in Tanis, Egypt, can answer questions about...

Kevenli Castle Reveals Van’s Largest Ancient Urartian Storage Center – 76 Pithoi Marked with Cuneiform Measurements Found

7 September 2025

7 September 2025

Excavations at the ruins of Kevenli Castle in Van’s İpekyolu district have brought to light the largest known storage center...

Researchers decipher enigmatic ancient ‘Unknown Kushan Script’

13 July 2023

13 July 2023

A research team at the University of Cologne’s Department of Linguistics deciphered a writing system belonging to the Kushan Empire,...

3,500-Year-Old Hittite Linen Fabric Exhibited for the First Time

10 March 2025

10 March 2025

A remarkable artifact, a piece of Hittite linen fabric dating back 3,500 years, has been publicly exhibited for the first...

4000-year-old sword found in Finland

12 October 2021

12 October 2021

A Bronze Age sword dating back as far as 1700 B.C.was discovered broken in items in Finland this previous summer...

Human remains found at prison sewer site are 4,500 years old in East Yorkshire

26 March 2024

26 March 2024

Archaeologists investigating the site of a new sewer to serve a jail being built at Full Sutton in East Yorkshire,...