19.06.2025 18:11
During road expansion works in the Altınordu district of Ordu, the remains of two tile graves dating back to the Roman or Byzantine period were discovered. It was reported that a skull and bone fragments were found in one of the graves during the rescue excavation.
During road widening work in Ordu, two tile grave remnants, believed to date back to the Roman or Byzantine period, were found. While road works in the area were halted, excavations conducted by archaeologists revealed a skull and bone fragments from one of the graves.
In March, road widening work was initiated on Bayraktaroğlu Street in the Akkese neighborhood of Ordu's Altınordu district. During the ongoing work carried out by the Altınordu Municipality teams yesterday, tile fragments were found stuck to the bucket of the construction machine.
BYZANTINE GRAVES FOUND
Upon reporting the situation, work in the area was halted, and the Ordu Museum Directorate was informed. Archaeologists and museum staff, during their initial examinations in the area, identified two tile graves, covered with tiles, believed to date back to the Roman or Byzantine period.
RESCUE EXCAVATION INITIATED
As a result, a rescue excavation was initiated in the area. In the ongoing work conducted with the assistance of archaeologists, a skull and bone fragments, believed to belong to a human, were uncovered from one of the graves. The findings were taken to the Ordu Museum Directorate for examination. Meanwhile, the exact period and structural characteristics of the graves will be clarified following the archaeological assessment to be conducted.
"HISTORICAL FINDINGS HAVE BEEN ENCOUNTERED"
Altınordu Mayor Ulaş Tepe stated that the process is being carried out with sensitivity in coordination with the relevant institutions, and said: "During the road widening works we are conducting as a municipality, historical findings have been encountered in our Akkese neighborhood. Following this development, we immediately halted the works, showing the necessary sensitivity as a municipality. Scientific rescue excavations are being carried out by expert archaeologists in the area. After the completion of the excavation works, necessary evaluations will be made, and we will reshape our road work in cooperation with our relevant institutions," he said.
'BONE FRAGMENTS WERE FOUND'
Akkese Neighborhood Muhtar Ömer Manav also stated, "While conducting the road widening work, our operator friend saw a stone of different color on the bucket of the excavator. He then called me. I reported the situation to the authorities. Teams from the museum directorate came. Upon examination, they determined that the stone fragment was a tile and that there was a tile grave here. Subsequently, excavation work was initiated. They later opened the graves. Bone fragments were found inside. As locals, we are also excited. We are watching the work as if we are watching a documentary. We are curious about what will come out," he said.