Urfa Castle Yields Mysterious Rock-Cut Tomb Possibly Tied to Abgar Dynasty—Early Christian Allies of Jesus

A recent archaeological breakthrough in southeastern Turkey has stirred excitement in the academic world. Deep within the inner citadel of Urfa Castle, researchers have unearthed a mysterious rock-cut tomb — the first ever discovered in this part of the fortress. Early findings suggest the tomb may be linked to the ancient Kingdom of Osroene — also known as the Abgar dynasty — raising the possibility of a royal burial site lost for centuries.

The discovery, led by Prof. Dr. Gülriz Kozbe and her team, marks a significant moment in the ongoing exploration of Şanlıurfa’s layered past — from Roman and Byzantine to Islamic and Ottoman eras.

A Forgotten Christian Kingdom at the Crossroads of Rome and Parthia

The Kingdom of Osroene, with its capital in Edessa (modern-day Şanlıurfa), was a culturally rich and strategically important state that thrived between the 2nd century BCE and the early 3rd century CE. Initially emerging as a semi-independent kingdom during the decline of the Seleucid Empire, Osroene was generally allied with the Parthian Empire, benefiting from its position along the key trade routes of Mesopotamia.

Despite its Parthian ties, Osroene gradually came under increasing Roman influence. In 114 CE, it was absorbed into the Roman Empire as a semi-autonomous vassal state, maintaining a degree of internal autonomy. A century later, in 214 CE, it was officially incorporated into the empire as a standard Roman province, ending its royal lineage.

Osroene is especially notable for being among the first states to adopt Christianity as a ruling faith. Its royal family, the Abgars, are closely associated with early Christian traditions, including legendary correspondence with Jesus of Nazareth, as recorded in apocryphal sources. The kingdom became a major center for Syriac Christianity, leaving a deep cultural and religious imprint on the region.

Rare Rock-Cut Tomb Could Reveal Royal Secrets

Though rock-cut tombs are common across the region, this is the first to be found within Urfa Castle’s inner walls. The tomb’s features — including a sealed circular stone entrance and a Syriac inscription — suggest a high-status burial.

Prof. Kozbe emphasized that the tomb likely dates back to the Late Antiquity period, between the 3rd and 8th centuries CE, based on architectural features and regional burial traditions. However, if the tomb is indeed connected to the Abgar dynasty of Osroene, the date could be pushed further back.

“If this tomb truly belongs to the Abgar royal family, it may date as early as the 3rd century,” she noted. “At this stage, we can generally place it between the 3rd and 8th centuries. Only after examining the interior — especially if we uncover mosaics, inscriptions, or grave goods — can we establish a more precise chronology.

“If this tomb does indeed belong to a member of the Osroene royal family, it could reshape our understanding of the region’s transition from paganism to Christianity,” said Prof. Kozbe.

Further exploration is underway to access the interior and uncover potential mosaics, human remains, or additional inscriptions that could reveal the tomb’s true identity.

Cover Image Credit: Anadolu Agency (AA)