Recent excavations at the Konuralp Ancient Theatre in Düzce's Konuralp region, Turkey have uncovered the remains of a chapel and indications of a larger complex structure believed to date back to the early Byzantine period. This discovery sheds new light on the region's historical transition to Christianity.
The Konuralp Ancient Theatre, known in antiquity as Prusias ad Hypium, holds the distinction of being the only ancient theatre in the Western Black Sea region. The site has been the focus of extensive archaeological efforts, with structures from the Byzantine, Roman, and Ottoman empires unearthed over time.
"We think there is a chapel here, and there is an apse facing east in front of it," said Raşit Aydın, the Head of Guidance Services and an art historian at the Konuralp Ancient Theatre, according to Milliyet. "As we detailed the structure towards the south, another structure resembling an apse emerged. The structure resembles a large complex. We cannot make a full assessment right now. We also found small mosaic pieces and floor tiles next to it. We think it is a complex structure with a chapel."
The discovery of the additional apse-like structure suggests that the site may be part of a larger religious or social complex, rather than merely a small place of worship. Archaeologists uncovered small mosaic pieces and floor tiles in the vicinity, further hinting at the site's historical importance.
Continuing excavations revealed a larger structure, and experts evaluate that this area could be a church or a special place where the elite class of the period was hosted. The uncovering of these structures indicates that the region may have played a pivotal role during the early Byzantine period, particularly during the transition to Christianity.
"We probably think that the small structure we think is a chapel is early Byzantine," explained Aydın. "Because both the material quality and the wall bonding techniques are probably from the early Byzantine period. We can say that the continuation of the structure is most likely from either the early Byzantine or middle Byzantine period."
The Konuralp Ancient Theatre site has yielded a wealth of historical artifacts and structures, gradually revealing traces of the past. Excavations have been initiated in the area in collaboration with Düzce Municipality and Düzce University, aiming to uncover and preserve the rich cultural heritage embedded in the region.
Prusias ad Hypium, one of the 12 cities that formed the Bithynia Union, is estimated to have been built in the 3rd century BCE. The theatre itself stands as a testament to the architectural prowess of the period and has been a focal point for historians and archaeologists alike.
Aydın noted the progress made in the excavations. "Ninety-five percent of the theatre is completed. We are currently working on the surrounding structures. This chapel and the complex structure indicate a major discovery," he said.
In the southern part of the chapel, a new apse was uncovered during the excavations, suggesting that the structure may be part of a larger complex. "At first, an east-facing apse emerged; then we found another structure resembling an apse, expanding towards the south," Aydın said. "This shows that the structure is not just a chapel but part of a larger and more complex set of buildings. We also reached a mosaic area, which shows that the structure has important functions."
The preparation of this article relied on a news-analysis system.