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Eight chamber tombs have been uncovered in the ancient city of Tharsa in Türkiye’s southeastern Adiyaman province.
The site, located near Kuyulu village, dates back to the Roman period and has been the focus of archaeological excavations since 2019.
All about Tharsa ancient city of Tharsa excavations
Adiyaman Museum Director Mehmet Alkan told reporters that this year’s work started three weeks ago and produced important new findings.
“Eight more chamber tombs have been unearthed in the last three weeks,” Alkan said. “Since the start of excavations in 2019, a total of 40 chamber tombs have been revealed.”
Alkan compared Tharsa with the nearby ancient city of Perre, another significant archaeological site in the region.
“Tharsa, the ancient city of Tharsa, has more distinctive chamber tombs than Perre,” he said. “We invite visitors to come and see this area.”
Archaeologists say the discovery adds to Adiyaman’s growing reputation as a destination for cultural tourism.
The province is home to Mount Nemrut, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and several ancient settlements from the Commagene Kingdom and Roman era.
Tharsa’s chamber tombs are expected to attract local and international visitors, offering insights into burial practices and social structures during the Roman period.
Local officials hope that the ongoing discoveries will bring more tourists to Kuyulu village and support the local economy.
Improved visitor infrastructure could turn Tharsa into a regular stop for those touring Adiyaman’s archaeological and historical sites.
Drone footage from the excavation shows the layout of the tombs and the work being carried out by archaeologists, offering a rare look into the site’s structure and preservation efforts.
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