Tomb Raiders– an Incredible Tomb in Turkey

Turkey is a treasure trove of archaeological sites, and the thing is there are probably as many good ones under the ground as above ground.  There is far more of relevance to the study of the Bible than in any of the other Lands of the Bible including Israel.  Why?  Because in Turkey we have OT sites in the far east, and everywhere have Greco-Roman sites, also ANE sites like Hattusha, early Christian sites and much more.  This tomb found on the edge of the city of Iznik. (i.e. ancient Nicaea), was just another tumulus mound until recently, and what they discovered was a spectacular early Christian tomb with an image of young Jesus as the Good Shepherd, rather like a similar image in Rome. I would date this tomb to the early Byzantine era, but it may even go back to the time of Justinian.   Have a look.

One of these pictures is of the couple buried in this tomb, and another one is of a close up of the wife— clearly these were wealthy people (notice the jewelry the wife is wearing) who could afford a decorated tomb like this, and equally clearly, these were Christians, hence the Christian art of Christ the good shepherd.