Large Fifth-Century Church Uncovered in Turkey

ŞANLIURFA, TURKEY—Hürriyet Daily News reports that a Christian church thought to date to the fifth century A.D. has been uncovered in Harran, an ancient city in southeastern Turkey. “We observed during our work in the church that the Mongols burned and destroyed the building, but we have also clearly seen the traces of an earthquake as the entire north nave wall of the church is resting flat on its side in one piece,” said Mehmet Önal of Harran University. The stone structure was more than 200 feet long and has a basilica plan, with a central nave flanked by aisles. “Now that we are in the north aisle, or main aisle, the majority of the nave is visible,” Önal explained. He and his team expect to find the church’s apse and mosaic floors, which would have been typical for the period. To read about a Mesopotamian ruler who was born in Harran, go to "The Last King of Babylon."