Excavations in Turkey's Black Sea region find Roman-era sarcophagi

Archeologists have unearthed several sarcophagi and historical artifacts from the ancient Roman era during excavations in Ordu on the Black Sea coast of Turkey.

Last September, municipal workers found two concrete structures during road widening work, which was accompanied by museum experts, near a first-degree archaeological site in the Fatsa district, provincial culture and tourism head Ugur Toparlak told Anadolu Agency.

Examination by experts found the concrete structures to be sarcophagi, or ancient stone coffins.

Later, Ordu’s Museum Directorate launched an emergency rescue excavation in the region, during which teams unearthed nine tombs and 40 Roman-era artifacts, Toparlak said.

The artifacts unearthed from the graves during the excavations will be exhibited in the city museum.

Toparlak underlined that the area where the excavations were carried out was only 50 meters (164 feet) away from the sea.

"This place will be a cultural center of attraction. Hopefully, we will provide the necessary infrastructure for the public to visit the area as soon as possible," he added.

*Writing by Zehra Nur Duz