The Excavations and Finds of Yenikapı



The Harbour of Theodosius, one of the most important Byzantine centres of commerce, was uncovered during the archaeological excavations conducted between 2004-2016 at the Yenikapı Marmaray and Metro Station areas. The harbour fill, provides us with important information on almost every stage of Istanbul's historical process, spanning from the Neolithic Age to the present. The jewellery finds of the Yenikapı excavations were discovered in the layer dated between 5th-7th centuries. They provide us with invaluable specimens which shed light on different aspects of social life of the time such as status, faith, matrimony and sense of aesthetics. Made specifically for men, the three spiral gold fibulas stand out as status symbols and serve as fine examples of imperial jewellery. The emerald, gold and pearl necklace worn by high palace officials and aristocratic women, also serves as an example of this category. 

The gold rings discovered at the Yenikapı excavations signified nobility, title and matrimony or were used as amulets. The type of ring known as the stepped ring was worn by members of the military or the ruling class. The ring with the words "Apple for the Beautiful" embossed on its gem, was made for an engagement or marriage proposal. Moreover, various pieces of jewellery carried inscriptions related to the religious aspect of life. The ring with the inscription "My Lord, help Undila" is a conspicuous example of how prayers for protection were used on jewellery. The gold medallion with "The Annunciation" scene, and the cross-shaped pendulum which was used as a powerful protective symbol, are two other examples of jewellery with religious significance. The pendulum has a monogram that implies "loulianos's" engraved on it.

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