Archaeologists unearthed remains of a chapel, church and temples and Christian burials of individuals with crosses on necks on the Black Sea island of Giresun, revealing the religious significance of the island.

Excavations conducted on the island since 2o11 revealed so far Byzantine graves, historic walls, monastery ruins and remains of a chapel. Settlements had existed on the island, which was also known as Aretias or Kalkeritis in ancient times, from the 2nd century BC. Recent excavations  revealed a temple built in the 4th century BC, and church ruins built between the 11th and 12th centuries. Human skeletons were found around the chapel. They are believed to be remains of the clerics. Numerous graves found around the chapel contained remains of people buried in the Byzantine rite.

(after Hurriyet Daily News)