KONYA, Türkiye/ISTANBUL 

A sealed bronze reliquary cross uncovered during excavations at the ancient city of Lystra in central Türkiye has been cleaned and preserved, according to the head of excavations.

Lystra is known as one of the places visited by St. Paul, who is believed to have played an important role in the spread of Christianity.

The two-part cross, dated between the 9th and 11th centuries, was found in a church-area burial zone at the site in Meram district of Konya province.

Archaeologists said it is rare because it was discovered intact and still sealed, unlike most reliquaries, which are found broken or opened.

Excavations at the site are being conducted under the direction of Ilker Mete Mimiroglu of Necmettin Erbakan University, with support from Türkiye's Culture and Tourism Ministry and local municipalities.

Mimiroglu told Anadolu that the cross, decorated with geometric motifs, was permanently sealed using a riveting technique and will not be opened to avoid damage.

“We found more than one reliquary at Lystra, but almost all were broken. This piece excited us because it was discovered sealed as it was originally made,” he said.

Although the cross has not been opened, Mimiroglu said a visual inspection through a small gap did not reveal any contents.

“Without opening it, we did not see any material inside when we looked through the gap,” he said. “There was a piece of shroud-like fabric on top, but what is inside would only be clear if the two covers were opened. From the riveting, we understand that there is no mechanism for opening and closing -- it was sealed.”