Lystra Continues to be Unearthed

Archaeological excavations at the Ancient City of Lystra, supported by Meram Municipality, continue to reveal structures and artifacts. Most recently, a bronze amulet believed to date to the Seljuk period, glazed inkwells, coins, and turquoise beads were uncovered.

Excavations at Lystra (Listra), within the borders of Hatunsaray and Botsa neighbourhoods, continue with permission from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and support from Necmettin Erbakan University (NEÜ), Konya Metropolitan Municipality, and Meram Municipality. Led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. İlker Mete Mimiroğlu, the site is known as one of the places visited by Saint Paul. 

“SELJUK-ERA GLAZED INKWELLS, COINS, AND TURQUOISE BEADS WERE FOUND” 

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mimiroğlu said the second-year excavation projects had been completed. He noted that work in the main church showed the site was part of a large building complex, where a chapel and another Late Antique church structure were uncovered. “Nearly 80 graves were identified in the upper church. In graves belonging to Christians living during the Seljuk period, Seljuk-era glazed inkwells, coins, and turquoise beads were found.” 

“AN AUSTRIAN SILVER COIN WAS FOUND” 

Mimiroğlu stated that the excavations were not limited to the church area. He reported that residential structures and pithoi dating to the Ottoman period were identified on the slope area, and that a 17th-century Austrian silver coin was found inside one of them. 

A SELJUK-ERA BRONZE AMULET WAS UNEARTHED 

Mimiroğlu said a Seljuk period find attracted particular attention. “In a residential structure we believe dates to the Seljuk period, we found a green-glazed inkwell, and next to it a bronze amulet,” he said, adding that restoration is ongoing and the inscriptions will be interpreted after they are read. 

MAYOR KAVUŞ: “THOUSANDS OF VISITORS ARE COMING TO LYSTRA EVEN THOUGH THE EXCAVATIONS HAVE JUST BEGUN” 

Meram Mayor Mustafa Kavuş said that, even before the second year of excavations is completed and without formal promotion, thousands of visitors are coming. He added that sponsors are showing interest and that they aim to bring tens of thousands of tourists in the near future.