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3 clusters · 4 sources · 31 days · First seen · Last updated

Nicaea Council site archaeological discovery

Overview

In July 2026, archaeologists announced the uncovering of remains believed to be part of the first church built for the historic Council of Nicaea in İznik, Turkey. By the end of the month, a detailed excavation report identified the original 325 AD site of the First Ecumenical Council beneath a lakeside palace.

The investigation, led by Professor Mustafa Sahin of Uludağ University alongside an international team, identified the remains as the Temple of St Neophytos. The discovery was prompted by researchers noticing that floor paving extended beyond the walls of an existing basilica. Recovered artifacts, including wall fragments, a tiled floor, a column base, a gold ring, and a bead, provide evidence of the site’s history. The presence of the ring and bead, dating to the Oemulid and Abbasid periods, suggests the site saw continued use in later centuries.

The findings align with historical accounts from Eusebius of Caesarea, who described a modest sanctuary used by hundreds of bishops. Evidence suggests the early temple was destroyed by a 368 AD earthquake and subsequently replaced by the Church of the Holy Fathers around 380 AD. This site is linked to the foundational 325 AD council that resulted in the Nicene Creed and sought to unify Christian doctrine regarding the teachings of Arius.

Entities

University of Uludağ · İznik · Eusebius of Caesarea · İznik (ancient Nicaea) · Prof. Mustafa Sahin

Timeline

  1. 9 days ago

    [CULTURE] 2 sources
    Archaeologists in Turkey unearth site linked to Council of Nicaea

    Archaeologists in İznik, Turkey, have unearthed a church complex believed to be the site of the First Council of Nicaea, a pivotal 325 A.D. event in early Christian history.

  2. 19 days ago

    [CULTURE] 2 sources
    Archaeologists pinpoint original 325 AD Nicaea council site

    Archaeologists in İznik have identified remains of the original 325 AD Nicaea council temple, confirming its exact location and linking findings to Eusebius' accounts.

  3. about 1 month ago

    [CULTURE] 4 sources
    Archaeologists Uncover First Council Church Remains in İznik, Turkey

    Excavations in İznik, Turkey, have revealed floor tiles, a column base and a gold ring from the 4th‑century St. Neophytos Church, confirming its role as the First Council site and indicating Umayyad activity in

Sources

livenowfox.com · newsbomb.gr · sportyreport.com · tromaktiko.gr

This summary has been updated 1 time: see revision history