6 Thousand Years of History Unearthed in Metro Excavation

During Kabataş-Beşiktaş-Mecidiyeköy-Mahmutbey metro line construction in Istanbul, 6 thousand old historical remains were discovered. Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality moved the excavation site after remains were discovered during metro construction. During the excavation, skeletons in form of fetuses, stone arrays in circular formation and cremation (burying the dead after burning corpses) urns, were unearthed. It was determined that the remains discovered, date back to the Neolithic period. The excavations launched at the site where remains were discovered, continue under the supervision of Istanbul Archaeological Museums Directorate.

President of the Cultural Assets, Archaeology and Museology Commission Nezih Başgelen stated the following: “Bosphorus can provide us with new information on its early history. Previously, the discoveries in Yarımburgaz Cave, Büyükçekmece-Eskice Ridge and Kilyos-Domuzdere showed us how important Istanbul area was with regard to spread of primitive people to the world. Prehistoric remains unearthed in Istanbul and its periphery, in Yenikapı, Fikirtepe, Pendik, Ayamama, Yarımburgaz, Bathonea – Küçükçekmece and Ağaçlı proved that Istanbul was home to a number of interesting settlements from hunter-gatherer period onwards. On the other hand, no prehistoric settlements have been discovered on Bosphorus shores. The archaeological remains unearthed and can be unearthed during Beşiktaş metro excavations, are of major importance.”