Project of Marmaray aiming to connect the Anatolian side of the city to the European side through an underground tunnel right underneath the sea of Marmara uncovered an unexpected history.
During the excavations, archeologists have discovered priceless findings that changed our understanding of İstanbul history. After the excavations, archeologists have realised that the history of İstanbul goes back 6200 years earlier than we thought. Now, scientists think that earliest settlement in İstanbul took place 8500 years ago.
The excavation that started in 2004 with 500 workers and a team of 100 experts in what was once the harbour of Theodosius revealed multiple layers starting from the Republican Era followed by the Ottoman Era, Byzantine Era, Roman Era, Hellenistic Era, Classical Era, Archaic Era but also Neolithic Era.
Archeologists found 37 ships from the Byzantine Era. 4 of which were discovered with their loads such as grains and amphoras containing wine.
The most fascinating of these findings are the ones from the neolithic era dating back to 8000 BC including conoe spades and ear of wheat.
One particular finding is mind blowing to me which are the footprints of the first İstanbulites from 8000 BC. who are assumed to have been running away from a flood and left their print in history!
Marmaray has opened to public in 2013 and all of these findings are in depots and authorities are still planning to build a museum to display all of these amazing findings that changed our understanding world history! Let’s hope that we get a chance to see all these findings soon.
Note that a replica of a 1100 years old Byzantine ship was reconstructed with the funding of European Union and was set sail on the sea of Marmara!
Now, this boat is displayed at Koç Museum in İstanbul.
Check out this short documentary on Yenikapı Findings that changed our understanding not only of İstanbul but also of world history!
