This tomb (below) was built in the 4th or 5th century. It is about 5km north of Iznik, near the village of Elbeyli. The Byzantines, here and elsewhere, showed a great fondness for birds.
4th or 5th century tomb, Elbeyli near Iznik.
This tomb has been subjected to several indignities over the years. The big blank between the peacocks marks the spot where a thief broke through the back wall in 1976 in search of treasure. In 1995, five years after these photos were taken, a section of the wall with a fresco of a partridge was removed. Presumably, this will surface on the international art market at some stage.
The Audubon of ancient Nicaea.
Categories: Uncategorized | No Comments »