Eray AKSOY

Archaeological Test Excavations play an important role for the understanding of the archaeological potential of Sinop (ancient Sinope) which was one of the most important port cities of ancient Black Sea. One of these excavations, named as “ORD 2016”, took place within the Gelincik District of the city which is situated at the southern portion of the isthmus. The excavations conducted in multiple openings within a parcel that was chosen for a building construction yielded a varia of archaeological artefacts, architectural elements and some tombs.

This paper will focus mainly on the evaluation of the tombs revealed within ORD 2016 together with other archaeological artefacts and architectural elements. First, the overall location and the importance of the locality where the excavation took place will be revealed. Then, a short but descriptive telling of the excavation process will be shared for a better understanding of the find locations and their arrangements. A special attention will be paid to the finds as they will be mediums of dating for the tombs and the whole area as well.

The evaluations have shown that the parcel excavated within the scope of ORD 2016 must have belonged to a burial ground from the Southern Necropolis of Sinope. The tombs together with their finds abled us to state that this burial ground only received tombs of ordinary people. An inscribed miniature grave marker in the form of a Doric capital able us to realise that some tombs were marked with such indicators. Especially the tombs help us to date this burial ground between the Early Hellenistic and Early Roman periods whereas other fragmentary ceramics indicate to a use that can be pulled back until the Classical Period.

Keywords: Sinope, necropolis, Hellenistic, Roman, squat lekythos, miniature Doric capital shaped grave marker.