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Daily Mail
14-07-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Ominous message found at the entrance of an ancient Christian church delivers a chilling warning to all who enter
A message has been found sprawled out in front of a fifth-century church, left as a warning for all who dared to enter. Archaeologists uncovered the ominous text while excavating Church No. 1 at the ancient city of Olympos, located in the Kumluca district of Antalya, Turkey. The message, laid out as a stunning mosaic, reads: 'Only those on the right path may enter here.' The team said it was intended to direct the conduct of those entering the sacred space, and was meant to deter those who did not follow Christianity. They have found other floor mosaics throughout the ruins of the church, featuring geometric shapes and botanical designs. In addition to the church, archaeologists uncovered the remains of a civilian home built over what was once a Roman-era necropolis or burial ground. During the Byzantine period, the area was likely repurposed due to population growth, with residential buildings replacing older tombs. The home, also constructed in the fifth century AD, was later rebuilt after a fire in the sixth century. It featured stone-paved floors and multiple rooms, and researchers found that the building's original layout and function remained mostly intact during the reconstruction. Gokcen Kutulus Oztaskin, associate professor at Pamukkale University and excavation director on the project, said: 'These finds confirm Olympos as one of the richest ancient cities in the Lycia region in terms of mosaic flooring. 'Olympos continues to surprise us with its rich mosaic heritage.' The message was created using colored tiles laid out in the dirt, forming a circular shape. 'A mosaic inscription placed directly at the church's entrance reads, 'Only those on the righteous path may enter here,'' Öztaşkın added. 'We also found mosaics bearing the names of the church's benefactors. Excavations at the site have been ongoing since 2006, and for the past four years, archaeological teams have continued work year-round without interruption. 'Olympos is full of surprises. In 2017, 2022, and 2023, we uncovered richly decorated mosaic floors in various structures,' Öztaşkın said. 'In 2024, we revealed the floor mosaics of Church No. 1, including an inscription right at the entrance.' To date, archaeologists have uncovered several important structures in Olympus, including Churches No. 1 and 3, the entrance complex, the Episcopal Palace, a bridge, the mausoleum of Lycian ruler Marcus Aurelius Arkhepolis, a mosaic-decorated building, the Antimachos Sarcophagus, and monumental harbor tombs. 'Our work at the site is still ongoing,' said Öztaşkın. 'We've preserved the building's general structure, and we're now preparing to explore what we believe may be a temple. 'Toward the end of last year, we identified bossaged stone walls that suggest a religious structure. Excavations in that area are set to begin in the coming days.' Öztaşkın noted that efforts in the northern part of the city are expected to be completed within two years, after which attention will shift to the southern zone. Among the discoveries this year was a large storage jar unearthed in the civilian settlement. Many of the artifacts recovered from the city are now on display at the Antalya Archaeological Museum. Christianity first appeared in the region of modern-day Turkey in the first century AD, shortly after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The area played a crucial role in the early spread of Christianity due to its location in the Roman Empire and its many urban centers. Olympos, originally a Lycian city and later part of the Roman Empire, also became an important Christian center in the early Byzantine era. By the fifth century AD, Christian churches and residential buildings were constructed over earlier pagan and Roman structures, showing how the city transitioned from its classical roots to a Christian identity.
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Archaeologists Found a 5th-Century Church Inscribed With a Message to Early Christians
Here's what you'll learn when you read this story: Excavation work in Turkey's ancient Olympus revealed intricate mosaic patterns and inscriptions at a church entrance. Known as Church No. 1, the mosaics contained within are dated to the fifth century. Details from the inscriptions show who supported the church's construction. A mosaic adorning the entrance to a fifth-century church in Turkey's ancient city of Olympus is both just the tip of the iceberg. The mosaic itself extends from the entrance to inside the church, and it's just one of many ruins from the time period that archeologists have recently discovered, even after years of excavating the city. As crews continued to excavate Olympus' ancient Kumluca district, they discovered the mosaic outside the early Christian church, known as Church No. 1. The entrance bears an inscription which translates to: 'Only those on the right path may enter here,' according to Turkey's Ministry of Culture and Tourism, as reported by Türkiye Today. 'This mosaic inscription is strategically placed at the very entrance of the church,' Gokcen Kutulus Oztaskin, associate professor at Pamukkale University and excavation director on the project, said according to Anadolu Agency. The mosaics throughout the church contain both geometric patterns and botanical motifs, stretching from the main entrance into multiple areas of the building. Additional inscriptions reveal the names of churchgoers who financially backed the construction of the church. 'These finds confirm Olympus as one of the richest ancient cities in the Lycia region in terms of mosaic flooring,' said Oztaskin, according to Türkiye Today. 'Olympus continues to surprise us with its rich mosaic heritage.' Beyond Church No. 1, the team discovered a residential structure atop a Roman-era burial ground. Experts believe that the site was repurposed during the Byzantine period to help house the region's growing populations, highlighting a change in urban planning. The residential building—complete with a stone floor and also originally constructed in the fifth century—appeared to have been reconstructed (in accordance with the original design) in the sixth century following a fire. It came complete with additional artifacts, including a large clay storage vessel known as a pithos, which are now housed in the Antalya Archaeology Museum. While crews have been on site since 2006 sifting through the city's Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine remains, plans still call for continued exploration of the city (including what could be a temple in the city center). Already, teams have discovered examples of the masonry technique known as bossage, which features protruding blocks in finely cut stone walls, which they took to mean that the structure was likely a key religious building. Soon, the team will excavate a bishop's palace and Church No. 3. Already known as one of the most mosaic-rich ancient regions in Turkish history, crews hope to find even more patterns and inscriptions that help tell the story of ancient Olympus. You Might Also Like The Do's and Don'ts of Using Painter's Tape The Best Portable BBQ Grills for Cooking Anywhere Can a Smart Watch Prolong Your Life?
