[1]The village of Balkaya from the necropolis
[2]A grave on top of the limestone ridge
Immediately to the north of Balkaya Church 3 is the outcrop of limestone into which the necropolis is carved. There are many rectangular tombs dug out of the rock. Most have been covered by the deposition of soil over time. Tombs are occasionally exposed after high winds such as those occurring over New Year 2016-2017. Trees growing in the shallow depressions cannot grow deep roots. When they blow over, they take a neat package of roots and soil with them, leaving the shape of the grave. No idea how many burials were carried out here. I guess we’ll have to wait for a hurricane.
[3]Looking east from the necropolis
[4]Grave exposed by fallen tree
[5]There are probably hundreds of these buried under a few centimetres of soil
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