Excavations in monastery to raise debate over Seljuk presence

From: http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=81354

Aug 28, 2007

Some claim that the Seljuk didn’t come to Trabzon but the findings reveal the reverse because the traces can be considered as the evidence of Seljuk period architecture, says museum director

 Excavations in Trabzon's Kızlar Monastery have uncovered traces of Seljuk-period architecture as well as some objects from the 14th century and bone fragments of a skeleton dating back to 18th century B.C. 

  The excavations in the 14th century monastery kicked off in November 2006 and will soon come to an end.

  Speaking to the Anatolia news agency, Trabzon Museum director Nilgün Yılmazer said two skeletons, skulls and some bone fragments were unearthed during the first days of the excavation works. She said  they planned to send the skeletons to Istanbul University for further examination and that some ceramic and bronze pieces were among the findings in later phases of the excavations. �We also came across early period architecture, which supposedly existed in the 14th century as student rooms of the monastery. Some claim that the Seljuks didn't come to Trabzon but the findings reveal otherwise because the traces can be considered evidence of Seljuk period architecture. We are trying to clarify the issue and a healthy decision will be reached after the excavation works have been finalized.�

  Yılmazer also said the fountain in Trabzon's Sümela and the ornaments in Ayasofya Museum of Trabzon also bore the features of the Seljuk period architecture. �All these findings require further research about whether the Seljuks settled in Trabzon or not.�

  Noting that the Kızlar Monastery would undergo a restoration after the excavation work was finalized, she said the project would contribute to the development of tourism in the region. �Kızlar Monastery is located in a place quite promising and convenient in terms of tourism