Subway construction excavations fill gap in Istanbul's history

Ruins believed to be dating back to 6,000 years from the Neolithic age have been unearthed during a subway line construction in Istanbul's Beşiktaş district. 

Carried out by the Istanbul Archeology Museums, the excavations reveal buried slices of life in Istanbul, a first in the strait, according to officials. 

The 19th and 20th century ruins were unearthed during the construction of the Kabataş-Beşiktaş-Mecidiyeköy-Mahmutbey subway line. The Cultural and Natural Heritage Preservation Board said the findings did not need to be protected in their original place and ordered for their removal after scientific drawings and recordings were finished. Following the removal of the ruins, excavations have continued under the inspection of the museum. 

The excavations are expected to provide brand new information to shed light on the history of Istanbul, especially the Bosphorus Strait, which cuts through the city and divides it into two continents. 

Circular Neolithic age structures like the ones in the Yenikapı archaeological excavations and urn-type tombs have been unearthed around these structures. 

The findings initiated excitement among archeologists as it is the first time such discoveries were being made in the Istanbul strait. Just like on the banks of the Bayrampaşa Stream in Yenikapı, there was a Neolithic age settlement around the Ihlamur Stream in Beşiktaş. Officials believe the finds will fill the historical gap between 6500 and 3000s B.C. in Istanbul. 

The finds suggest more crucial discoveries are waiting to be unveiled when the works go deeper. Historical data obtained during the Yenikapı and Üsküdar subway station excavations will be richened with the ones in Beşiktaş. 

From 4,000 BC<...