By: Jessie Sha

Archaeologists found many vessels in the rooms of Southern Turkey, which was the ancient city of Antioch. This was the first time any archaeologist did any work on this land

In the 4th century C.E. the cave was believed to belong to a writer named St. Luke. This cave later became the site of a church. It is believed that St. Peter’s first time preaching was in there. This church is known as The Church of St. Pierre or St. Peter. Later on, this church became a major pilgrimage and helped develop early Christianity. This church is dedicated to the founder of Antakya Church the first ones to start a Christian community around the area.

The team first started by excavating around the Church of ST. Pierre. They started with 12 people led by Hatay Archaeology Museum. After a while, they found rooms that showed evidence of the use of vessels. “During the excavations, we found rooms and many offering vessels belonging to the settlement from the late Roman era.” Stated the head of Hatay Archaeology Museum. Archeologists believe that the people who visited the church bought these vessels and then filled it with the church’s holy water. However, this is only the first excavation done in this area and many questions remain to be answered.