Archaeological notes on a rare early Christian fresco depicting Christ as the Good Shepherd that was recently discovered in a tomb near ancient Nicaea in Asia Minor:
A rare depiction of Jesus as the “Good Shepherd” has come to light in a chamber tomb at Hisardere Necropolis in ancient Nicea (today’s Iznik) in Bursa province, Türkiye.
The scene is considered the only known example of this type identified to date in Anatolia, and researchers regard it as a highly significant discovery for archaeology in Türkiye and worldwide.
Hisardere Necropolis is understood to have been used as a cemetery between the second and fifth centuries by both wealthy families from Nicea and lower social groups. The newly documented chamber tomb, described as a hypogeum, or chamber tomb, was uncovered during the 2025 excavation season and has drawn particular attention because of its wall paintings.
The three preserved walls and the ceiling of the tomb are covered with frescoes. Unlike other painted tombs in the region, these surfaces contain human figures, which makes the monument stand out within the local funerary landscape. The chamber tomb is dated to the third century, placing it in the Early Christian period.
Because of this dating and because it preserves what may be the only known Good Shepherd scene in Anatolia so far, the tomb has come to be seen as one of the most striking Early Christian monuments yet documented in the region.
Read more at Türkiye Today.
