Aidesim Archaeological Site

The Basilica of Aidesim is located approximately 200 meters southwest of Oylum Mound, on the Kilis-Gaziantep Highway, within the boundaries of Oylum Neighborhood in the Central District of Kilis Province. Discovered through illegal excavations in 1999, 2004, and 2006, this mosaic-covered basilica dates back to the early Christian period (6th century AD) and features a mosaic floor. The rectangular structure, oriented east-west, has three naves, with the apse facing east.

Excavations conducted to uncover the mosaic structure revealed features characteristic of the Roman, Hellenistic, and Medieval periods. The mosaic stones are black, white, gray, red, and brown, and feature a combination of plant and geometric motifs. The basilica area, approximately 800 m2, was enclosed with a steel structure in 2015 through the efforts and project of our Ministry, and was completed by the end of 2019 with the "Oylum Höyük Basilica Exhibition Building and Annex Construction Project".

With the letter dated 13.06.2019 and numbered 490331 from the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage and Museums of our Ministry, the structure was given the function of "Aidesim Archaeological Site".