Turkish Archaeological News collects the most important, interesting and inspiring news from Turkish excavation sites. Here's the review for April 2016. Have we missed anything? Let us know by using Contact tab!
April 1, 2016
Treasure hunters unearth burial chamber in Turkey's west
An ancient Roman-era burial chamber has been unearthed by treasure hunters who dug a three-meter tunnel inside a shanty house in the western province of Kütahya. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
April 2, 2016
Ancient marketplace found in Denizli
Ongoing excavations in the ancient city of Tripoli in the western province of Denizli’s Buldan district have unearthed a 2,000-year-old market place, indicating that the city was a significant center of trade in the past. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
April 4, 2016
Historic castle destroyed by sea and treasure hunters in Turkey's west
A historic castle in the northwestern province of Edirne’s Yayla village, which was registered in 2012 by the Edirne Cultural and Natural Heritage Preservation Board, has been abandoned and slowly destroyed by nature and treasure hunters. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
April 5, 2016
Halfeti’s Ulu Mosque to ‘resurface’
The historic Ulu Mosque, some parts of which were flooded because of the Birecik Dam, will come to the surface again with a restoration process to be carried out with special technics. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
April 6, 2016
Vent pipes installed in historic structure
Restoration has nearly been completed in one of the most important historic Seljuk structures in Anatolia and the symbol of the eastern province of Erzurum, the Çifte Minareli Madrasah. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
April 12, 2016
Burial chamber discovered in Kütahya
A Roman-era burial chamber has been unearthed during excavations in the western province of Kürahya’s Domaniç district. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
April 13, 2016
Ancient city to be promoted with festival
A festival is set to be organized to promote the ancient city of Sebastapolis and to bring more tourists to the district. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Archaeologists search for sculpture’s head in Turkey's north
Archaeologists in the northwestern province of İzmit have been searching for the head of a female sculpture, which was found a few days ago. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
April 15, 2016
Archaeologists have been working to solve the mystery of five-ton lion sculptures recently found in a field in Sorgun, a town located in the Central Anatolian province of Yozgat. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Cable car assisting historic castle’s restoration
The restoration of the 900-year-old Mengücek Castle in Divriği in Central Anatolia has received a shot in the arm thanks to the construction of a cable car to help carry massive stones to aid in the fortress’ refurbishment. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
April 19, 2016
Philadelphia, the ancient era health center
Surgical instruments and burial chambers unearthed during excavations in the ancient city of Philadelphia in the Central Anatolian province of Karaman’s Gökçeseki village have boosted the idea that the ancient city was the health center of the Taşeli region. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Dracula dungeon’s hidden tunnel to be expanded
Works have been initiated again to further open a hidden tunnel, which was discovered during restoration work in the Tokat Castle, also known as the dungeon of Dracula. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
April 22, 2016
‘Be cheerful, live your life:’ Ancient mosaic ‘meme’ found in Turkey’s south
What could be considered an ancient motivational meme which reads “be cheerful, live your life” in ancient Greek has been discovered on a centuries-old mosaic found during excavation works in the southern province of Hatay. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
April 26, 2016
Restoration efforts in Mersin's ancient city begin
Perparation has begun for the restoration and landscape planning project for the Ancient city of Akkale located in Erdemli district, Mersin, a city known for its olive oil exports. Source: Daily Sabah
April 27, 2016
Rare mosaic in Turkey's south arouses interest
Turkish historian İlber Ortaylı has paid a visit to the excavation area in the southern province of Hatay’s İplik Pazarı district where an ancient mosaic reading “be cheerful, live your life” was discovered last week during the construction of a cable railway project. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Ancient mosaic doesn’t say ‘Be cheerful, live your life,’ claims expert
A phrase written on an ancient mosaic found in the southern province of Hatay, which reportedly read “Be cheerful, live your life,” continues to pique the interest of experts, with writer and researcher Murat Bardakçı claiming the writing on the mosaic was wrongly interpreted. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
