Archaeological excavation and cleaning works have started in Turuş rock tombs, one of the largest rock cemeteries in Türkiye.
Turuş Rock Tombs is a historical cemetery located on the borders of Kuyulu village of Adıyaman, at the 40th km of Adıyaman-Şanlıurfa highway.
This cemetery, which is completely built on a rocky hill, consists of more than 60 rock tombs from the Roman Period. The cemetery was also used by the Byzantines.
Rock Tombs are important for obtaining information about the beliefs and funeral rites of the people living in this region during the Roman Period. In addition, the architectural style and reliefs of the tombs are a valuable artistic and cultural source of the Roman Period.
In the last three years, 60 graves have been unearthed during the cleaning and excavation works in Turuş Rock Tombs. In the excavations that started in April this year, 2 rock tombs have been unearthed so far and the tombs are being cleaned again.
The cleaning and excavation works of the Turuş Rock Tombs, where the first excavations were carried out in 1999, were suspended until 2021.
With the Commagene Revitalization Project, 10 acres of area has been cleaned so far in the works that started again in 2021. The piles of stones and soil inside the tombs are being cleaned. A drainage system is being built on top to prevent rainwater from entering the tombs. Excavation and cleaning works are expected to continue until September.
Providing information about the excavations that started in 2021 and continued uninterruptedly in Turuş Rock Tombs, Adıyaman Museum Director Mehmet Alkan said, “We started the excavations in 2021, which started in 1999 and were interrupted. In the excavations that have been going on for about 3 years, an area of about 10 acres has been cleaned. In addition to cleaning, we are also uncovering grave chambers. In the last period, we unearthed 60 rock tombs, and this year we have unearthed 2 rock tombs so far, “he said.
