Excavations at the Roman Theatre in Bursa’s Iznik district have uncovered a necropolis believed to date to the Byzantine period in the open area south of the theatre. Skeletal remains belonging to approximately 20 individuals were found at the site.
Examinations of the bones identified the earliest known case of plague in Anatolia. The finding was announced by Prof. Aygün Ekin Meriç, excavation director and a faculty member in the Department of Archaeology at Dokuz Eylül University’s Faculty of Letters.
Work began in the 1980s
Excavations at the Iznik Roman Theatre began in the 1980s. Work carried out by a Dokuz Eylül University team since 2016 has uncovered evidence that the theatre was used for different purposes in different periods.
Conducted with the permission and support of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and sponsored by Bursa Metropolitan Municipality, the work continues across an area of approximately 10 decares. During this year’s campaign, which began in July, archaeologists focused on areas outside the theatre’s main structure.
Necropolis contains skeletons from different age groups
Meriç said they had encountered approximately 20 skeletal remains since the beginning of July. She said the skeletons belonged to adult women, adult men and children, and explained that the area had been used as a necropolis for individual burials, particularly during the Byzantine period.
Numerous bones were also found during work carried out south of the theatre in 2015. Research concentrated in the same area this year led to the identification of significant evidence of plague through examinations of the bones.
Experts from McMaster University in Canada, Rutgers University in the United States, Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University and Muş Alparslan University are also taking part in research at the necropolis.
Graves lie approximately 1 metre below the surface
The graves were found approximately 1 metre below the surface of the necropolis. Some contained multiple burials, while others held a single burial; the bodies had been positioned facing east with their hands placed over their abdomens.
The burial method was consistent with Christian funerary practices. A few beads were found in some of the graves, but no distinctive grave goods were discovered.
Traces of different periods found at the theatre site
Alongside the bones uncovered during the excavation, finds including a ring bezel, coins, beads and ceramics are being systematically documented and taken to the excavation house. There, the artefacts are cleaned, analysed and recorded.
Following the completion of excavation and restoration work in the Roman Theatre’s main spaces, the site opened to visitors in 2024. Meriç said the theatre area also contains traces of religious structures, churches, necropolises and tile kilns, in addition to evidence of its use as a theatre.
Excavations are planned to continue until the end of the season as the current areas are expanded. Work at the theatre site is expected to be completed in approximately four years.
