Hellenistic grave chamber found in eastern Turkey

A Hellenistic grave has been unearthed at a construction site in the northern province of Samsun's ?lkad?m district. 

The first examinations made by the Samsun Archaeology and Ethnography Museum officials revealed that it was a Hellenistic-era grave chamber. 

Construction work at the site has been halted and the museum officials said excavations would be carried out in the grave chamber, after which the exact age and era of the historical grave could be determined. 

Contractor Ahmet K?r?ml? said in a statement the construction in the area was intended to build an eight-floor building. 

The grave chamber has been taken under protection with a safety line and only officials can enter the area. 

Previously, ancient grave chambers were found during construction in the city's Baruthane and Kalkanca neighborhoods. 

In the meantime, a 3rd-century Bronze-age grave has been found in the eastern province of Mardin's Nusaybin district. 

Jugs buried around the grave have been also been unearthed by Mardin Museum officials.

The Bronze-age grave found in Mardin. Credit: AA Photo