A total of 400 rock-cut tombs that are approximately 1,800 years old and decorated with various motifs were found in the ancient city of Blaundus, located in the Ulubey district of the western Anatolian city of Uşak.
Excavations continue in the ancient city of Blaundus, situated on a peninsula surrounded by deep valleys, under the presidency of professor Birol Can of Uşak University’s Archaeology Department. While archaeological digs have revealed many Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine artifacts in the ancient city to date, this year’s work was focused on the areas of the necropolis.
These excavations unveiled 400 rock tombs featuring multiple rooms, the walls of which were decorated with special motifs of vine branches, bunches of grapes and flowers.
Speaking to Anadolu Agency (AA), excavation head Can said that Blaundos was established on a safeguarded hill. “There is only one entrance to the city from the north, and the city is surrounded by a valley reaching a depth of 70 meters (300 feet) in some points.
We determined rock-cut tombs in our recent works conducted in the steep sides of the valley. From the analysis of materials and bones we found in this area, we understand that these rock tombs were intensely used after the A.D. second century. We can say that they were used as family graves.”
