Crosses From Küçükçekmece Lake Basin (Bathonea) Excavations

Abstract

Small finds are important cultural remains that provide information about the social life, belief system and production in the area where they were found. In the Bathonea Excavations in the Küçükçekmece Lake Basin between 2010-2021, building complexes with commercial and religious functions were uncovered on the coastal settlements. Among the small finds identified in these areas, 6 metal and 1 stone finds, which provide information about the belief system, out of a total of 39 artifacts forming the upper group of jewelry, were examined within the scope of our article. The 7 crosses in this group, with their different typological and iconographic features, have provided us with information about the religious practices of a period extending from the 6th century AD to the 12th century AD. At the same time, it reveals the cultural exchange between the regions as a result of the comparison with other settlements where similar artifacts were found.