1500-year old Byzantine church found in Turkey's Edirne

A 1500-year-old Byzantine church was found during excavation in Turkey's northwestern Edirne province.

Professor Engin Beksaç from Trakya University's Art History Department is heading the excavation team in the ancient site of Sinanköy.

Beksaç told reporters on Monday that they have unearthed remnants of a 1500-year-old church during excavations which has features of the Byzantine civilization.

He said evidence shows that the church was built around 500 AD and it is an early Byzantine period building.

Beksaç said their team unearthed the base of the church, where the footing stones of the building are in good condition.

"Initial evidence shows us that it is one of the oldest churches of Thrace," Beksaç said.

Thrace is a region of Turkey in country's northwest, which comprises of Edirne, Tekirdağ and Kırklareli provinces.

Beksaç said there are remnants from ancient Thracians in Sinanköy, or ancient Prabadon, and it was also an important Byzantine city in the Middle Ages.