1,700-Year-Old Painting of Jesus Discovered in Türkiye!

In 2025, archaeologists excavating an ancient burial chamber in İznik, Türkiye, uncovered an extraordinary early Christian fresco depicting Jesus as the Good Shepherd, believed to date to the 3rd century CE. The discovery was made at the Hisardere Necropolis, near ancient Nicaea, a city that would later become famous for hosting the First Council of Nicaea in 325 CE. The remarkably preserved painting depicts Jesus as a youthful, clean-shaven shepherd wearing Roman-style clothing and carrying a horned animal across his shoulders. Unlike the familiar bearded representations of Jesus seen in later Christian art, this image reflects the artistic traditions of the Roman world. The Good Shepherd was one of Christianity’s earliest and most important symbols, representing divine protection, guidance and salvation. Such imagery appeared in Christian funerary art before the cross became the dominant symbol of the faith. The underground tomb also contains elaborate paintings of birds, plants and human figures, including portraits of wealthy individuals accompanied by attendants. Archaeologists discovered the skeletal remains of five individuals, including an infant, providing further evidence of the chamber’s funerary use. Researchers consider the fresco one of the best-preserved examples of the Good Shepherd motif discovered in Anatolia. Its discovery is especially significant because it illustrates how early Christian communities adapted familiar Roman artistic traditions to express their religious beliefs. Nearly 1,700 years after its creation, this extraordinary painting offers a rare glimpse into the earliest centuries of Christian art. What do you think of this ancient depiction of Jesus? #Archaeology #AncientHistory #EarlyChristianity #Jesus #RomanEmpire #AncientArt #ThisIsAncient