Man Watching Building Work During Lockdown Spots 2,000 Year Old Roman Gravestone

A rare Roman gravestone almost ended up in a rubbish tip after it was dug up during building work and dumped in a pile of rubble ready to be taken away.

Luckily, the excavation work was being watched by Erdogan Tunaboylu from his nearby flat in the district of Nilufer in the north-western Turkish city of Bursa.

He was reportedly at home because of the COVID-19 restrictions and had been absentmindedly watching the landscaping work being carried out on the property across the street when he spotted an interesting stone.

Credit: Newsflash
A 2000-year-old grave stele was found during work at a construction site

Later, he had examined the stone, which was covered in mud at the time, and realised it had carvings on it.

Tunaboylu asked his wife to help him carry it home where they cleaned it up, revealing the elaborate markings underneath.

As soon as he realised it appeared to have historical significance, he called the police who then informed the Nilufer Municipality Culture Directorate.

Experts confirmed that the object was a gravestone from the Early Roman Period, and ordered further digs at the nearby site as well as securing the headstone for further examination.

They estimated that it was at least 2,000 years old, and is now under the protection of the Provincial Culture and Tourism Directorate.

They said it would be examined at a later stage to work out more details from its history.

Credit: Newsflash
A 2000-year-old grave stele was found during work at a construction site

To find out more about the author, editor or agency that supplied this story – please click below.
Story By: Feza Uzay, Sub-Editor: Marija Stojkoska, Agency:  Newsflash

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