The Underwater Basilica of Nicaea: Archaeology in the Birthplace of Christian Theology

A Firsthand Look at a Groundbreaking Archaeological Discovery

In 2014, aerial photography revealed a submerged structure beneath the waters of Lake Iznik, near the ancient city of Nicaea. The structure appeared to be in theshape of an ancient basilica church, with a nave, aisles, and an apse pointing to the east. The discovery was named one of the top ten archaeological discoveries in 2014 by the Archaeological Institute of America. Earlier excavations in ancient Nicaea have revealed fourtee...