A Rock-Cut Tomb from Kıyıköy (Vize, Kırklareli) and Its Place in the Thracian Funerary Tradition

This article presents a detailed study of a rock-cut tomb located near Kıyıköy, in the Vize district of Kırklareli Province, documented during the 2025 archaeological survey season. Although the monument had been previously registered, it has not yet been subjected to comprehensive scholarly analysis. The study first examines the tomb's architectural features and the research history of the region, and then compares it with similar examples in order to situate it within the broader funerary landscape of ancient Thrace.Particular attention is given to regional traditions of rock-cut burial structures known from southeastern Bulgaria, the Rhodope region, and eastern Thrace, while parallels are also drawn with arcosolium-type tombs in northwestern Anatolia. As no stratified archaeological finds were recovered from the monument, its chronology remains uncertain. While an earlier origin within the broader Thracian funerary tradition cannot be excluded, architectural affinities with Roman and Late Antique tomb forms must also be considered.The article therefore argues for a cautious chronological assessment and highlights the importance of the Kıyıköy tomb within the broader mortuary landscape of the Strandzha (Istranca) region. Although its date remains uncertain, the monument contributes to current discussions on the diversity and long-term development of funerary traditions in eastern Thrace.