A fresco depicting the young Jesus discovered in an ancient tomb in Turkey

An archaeological excavation in Turkey has brought to light a find that enriches our understanding of early Christian culture with new perspectives. A fresco preserved on the wall of an underground tomb depicts the young Jesus in a rare manner, making it an outstanding discovery not only for its artistic value but also for its historical significance.

Archaeologists have made an exceptionally rare and remarkable discovery in Turkey. In the Hisardere necropolis in the İznik district — known in antiquity as Nicaea — they uncovered an early Christian fresco portraying the young Jesus in the role of the “Good Shepherd”.

This depiction is extremely rare in the region and may be the only known example in Anatolia. The fresco adorns the northern wall of an underground chamber tomb, a hypogeum, which has survived in remarkably good condition after more than a thousand years, according to All That’s Interesting.

The fresco has survived in particularly good condition

Although the southern wall of the tomb has been significantly damaged over time by weathering and human activity, the ceiling and the eastern, western and northern walls have remained almost intact. This provides archaeologists with a unique opportunity to study the fresco in site, in its original setting.

The walls and ceiling of the hypogeum are covered with rich decorations: bird and plant motifs, as well as portraits of noble men and women accompanied by servants. The fresco itself is located behind the kline — a square terracotta funerary couch — and represents a visual art form that was widespread in the Mediterranean during the early period of Christianity.

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The depiction of the young Jesus is of historical significance

The fresco portrays the young Jesus as a beardless figure with Roman features: he wears a toga and carries a goat on his shoulders. This is an example of the “Good Shepherd” iconography, which was used in the early years of Christianity to express faith before the cross became a widely recognised symbol of the religion.

Although no additional archaeological finds were uncovered in direct association with the fresco that would allow for precise dating, the construction of the tomb can be dated to the 3rd century AD. At that time, the region was under Roman rule, and Christians were persecuted, as the religion had not yet been accepted throughout the empire. The shepherd motif, which did not function as an overtly Christian symbol, allowed believers to express their faith without exposing themselves to persecution.

In the first centuries of Christianity, the “Good Shepherd” as a representation of the young Jesus symbolised protection, salvation and divine guidance. According to Eren Erten Ertem, an archaeologist at the İznik Museum, the fresco also demonstrates a transition from late paganism to early Christianity.

İznik as a significant site in Christian history

The discovery is of particular significance because Pope Leo XIV recently visited İznik to commemorate the 1,700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea, held in AD 325. The council took place during the reign of Emperor Constantine I and marked an important milestone in the history of Christianity, as the religion began its transition from persecution to imperial support.

Approximately 300 bishops gathered to debate the Arian controversy, which questioned the divine nature of Christ. The council produced the Nicene Creed, which is still followed by many Christian churches today. In addition, it established the date of Easter and laid the foundations for the institutional structure of the Church.

The Second Council of Nicaea in 787 addressed the iconoclastic controversy, which had long divided the Byzantine Empire. Its decisions distinguished between the worship of God and the veneration of sacred images, profoundly influencing Christian art and religious practice, particularly within Eastern Orthodoxy.

Nicaea’s strategic location in north-west Asia enabled bishops from across the Christian world to reach the city, while its walls and imperial backing ensured security for debates on contentious theological issues. The councils’ decisions helped unify Christian doctrine during its formative centuries, setting a precedent for how the Church would resolve internal disputes.

The newly uncovered fresco about the young Jesus serves as a reminder of İznik’s prominent role in the history of Christianity, as well as of a period when the practice of the faith was discreet, yet believers were still able to express their devotion through art.