Archaeologists have uncovered an unusual 1,900-year-old tomb inside a theater in the ancient Greek city of Apollonia ad Rhyndacum (Greek: Ἀπολλωνία ἐπὶ Ῥυνδακῷ) in northwestern Turkey. The discovery has puzzled researchers because the city already had a separate burial ground. The tomb dates to the first century A.D. and was found in Gölyazı, a historic neighborhood in Bursa province.
Apollonia had strong ties to the ancient Greek world. A Hellenistic inscription records the city’s claim that Miletus (Greek: Μίλητος), an important Greek city on the western coast of Anatolia, founded it as a colony. Its theater also reflects Greek architectural traditions that later developed under Roman rule.
Unusual tomb raises questions about ancient burial practices
Archaeologists discovered the tomb in the northern part of the theater’s lower seating section. It contains an adobe burial chamber covered with terracotta roof tiles. Excavation director Derya Şahin described it as the season’s most significant discovery in that section. Şahin explained that Apollonia already had a necropolis, or burial ground, near its entrance. The newly discovered tomb closely resembles other graves in the area.
📍 Bursa'nın Nilüfer ilçesinde yer alan Apollonia ad Rhyndacum Antik Kenti'ndeki tiyatronun alt cavea (seyircilerin oturduğu alan) bölümünün kuzeyinde, 1. yüzyıla tarihlenen kerpiç sandukalı, pişmiş toprak çatkı mezar (kiremit çatma mezar) bulundu. Mezarda incelemeler sonucu… pic.twitter.com/1OzCyph467
— arkeolojihaber ® (@arkeolojihaber) October 28, 2026
The discovery raises questions about religious and commemorative practices in ancient Greek cities. In Greece, archaeologists previously uncovered a temple dedicated to the goddess Nemesis inside the ancient theater of Mytilene. Examinations revealed that the deceased had been cremated. The burned remains have made it difficult to determine how many people were buried there. Researchers recovered few other objects.
Ancient Greek theater reveals Roman-era changes
Excavations at Apollonia began in 2021 under Şahin, a professor at Bursa Uludağ University. The theater was built into the slopes of Zambaktepe during the Hellenistic period, overlooking Lake Uluabat. It could accommodate approximately 5,000 spectators. Archaeologists have uncovered 42 rows of stone seats and returned them to their original positions.
Researchers believe the theater may have had two seating levels separated by a passageway about 1 meter (3.3 feet) wide. The upper section may have rested on vaults similar to those used in Roman theaters. Inscriptions suggest the theater’s final construction phase dates to the early second century A.D. Similar architectural developments have been documented at the ancient Greek theater of Teos (Greek: Τέως) in western Turkey.
More discoveries possible in ancient Apollonia
Şahin said continuous settlement has made it difficult to find well-preserved structures. Archaeologists are working to expose buried remains and identify the theater’s original foundations. The surrounding area may contain additional buildings, a temple or an ancient road. Similar excavations at the ancient Greek city of Aspendos (Greek: Ἄσπενδος) revealed a 2,000-year-old street.
The excavation season is expected to conclude by the end of November. The purpose of the unusual tomb remains unknown.
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