In a recent archaeological breakthrough, a significant Roman necropolis has been uncovered in the ancient city of Tios, situated near modern-day Filyos Port in Zonguldak, Turkey. This fascinating site, originally a Greek colony founded in the 7th century BCE by the Milesian priest Tios, has been remarkably well-preserved, largely escaping the encroachment of modern development.

The excavation, led by Professor Sahin Yıldırım from Bartin University, involves a dedicated team of 44 members. Together, they have unearthed an impressive array of burial structures: 96 sarcophagi, 23 chamber tombs, seven cist graves, 60 tile graves, and more than 1,300 funerary artifacts. According to Professor Yıldırım, the necropolis was active from the 5th century BCE to the 5th century CE, with its peak activity during the 1st to 3rd centuries CE, a period when the site thrived as a “city of the dead.”

*Photo Credit: Dosseman, Wikimedia Commons*

“The layout of the necropolis was meticulously planned, featuring streets, alleys, and terraces that mimic the structure of a living city,” Professor Yıldırım explained. A notable feature is a 500-metre avenue flanked by sarcophagi, indicating that these burials likely belonged to affluent individuals from the 2nd to 3rd centuries CE.

This significant archaeological find has been made possible with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, Türkiye Petrolleri (TPAO), and TP-OTC. Professor Yıldırım emphasized the uniqueness of Tios, highlighting that it is the only ancient city in the Black Sea region that hasn’t been overlaid by modern settlements. He stated, “We have uncovered a vast necropolis stretching from the late 5th century BCE to the 5th century CE. This area is of immense importance for the archaeology of Türkiye and the Black Sea.”

Among the artifacts found are tombstones and inscriptions dating back to the reign of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, which reveal that many of Tios’ inhabitants were granted Roman imperial citizenship. The human remains found suggest that many of the burials were familial, and some of the chamber tombs were even reused by the Byzantines in the 6th century CE.

The Tios necropolis is particularly noteworthy for its remarkable preservation. “Although many tombs were looted during the Gothic invasions, the Romans later restored the necropolis and continued to use it,” Yıldırım noted.

This discovery not only sheds light on the rich history of Tios but also underscores the importance of preserving such sites for future generations.

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