Gallery grave found in Mardin ‘unique’ in the world

A gallery grave dedicated to Roman warriors who died thousands of years ago in battles found in the ancient city of Dara in Turkey’s southeastern border province of Mardin is unprecedented and unique, officials have said. 

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/gallery-grave-found-in-mardin-unique-in-the-world-139948

Ancient cistern found under barn in Turkey's Mardin

MARDİN – Anadolu AgencyExcavations in the southeastern province of Mardin’s ancient city of Dara have unearthed a 6th century cistern. The Roman-era cistern was found in a field used as a barn. 

Nihat Erdoğan, the director of the Mardin Museum, said excavation works have been ongoing in the 3,000-year-old ancient city of Dara, located on the road to Mardin’s Nusaybin district. 

Erdoğan said the majority of the Roman city of Dara remained under village houses.

“As excavations continue in Dara, artifacts from the Roman and Persian eras come to light. The latest excavations discovered the Roman-era cistern, which is 18 meters in depth and 15 meters by width. This place was filled with earth that we later emptied. Its ruined ground has been restored as part of a project led by the cultural and natural heritage conservation board,” he added.

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/ancient-cistern-found-under-barn-in-turkeys-mardin.aspx?pageID=238&nID=106366&NewsCatID=375