August 2024 was an extremely busy month for the archaeologists working in the area of Türkiye. Among the most important discoveries, we should mention a monumental Zeus head found in Aphrodisias and a bust of the sponsor who commissioned the construction of the theatre’s stage building in Prusias ad Hypium unearthed near the western entrance of the theatre. Moreover, in a remarkable underwater excavation near Antalya’s Kumluca district, archaeologists have discovered a 3,600-year-old bronze dagger with silver rivets, believed to be linked to the ancient Minoan civilization in Crete. Finally, the figure of a running wild donkey carved on a stone was found during excavations at Karahan Tepe, a Pre-Pottery Neolithic site located in Şanlıurfa Province.
Turkish Archaeological News collects the most important, interesting and inspiring news from Turkish excavation sites. Here's the review for August 2024. Have we missed anything? Please let us know by using Contact tab!
August 1, 2024
Kore torso sculpture to be displayed at Ankara museum
A "Kore torso" — a statue body without the head and arms — that was auctioned in the U.K. and returned to Türkiye after being proven smuggled from the ancient city of Miletus in the western province of Aydın’s Didim district, will soon be exhibited at the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations in Ankara. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Archeologist refutes claims of suspended excavation in Göbeklitepe
The head of the excavation at Göbeklitepe in the eastern province of Şanlıurfa has denied recent reports which surfaced in both Turkish and international media that operations at the Neolithic site had ceased and that trees had been planted in the protected area. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
A First in Türkiye: ‘Pilgrim Dimitrakis’ Inscribed Skull Found in Sinop
A male skull with the Greek inscription “Pilgrim Dimitrakis” was found during archaeological excavations at Balatlar Church in Sinop, on the Black Sea coast of Türkiye. Source: Arkeonews
August 3, 2024
Ancient Olympus richens coastal tourism
Located in the Kumluca district of the tourism hotspot of Antalya, the ancient city of Olympus seamlessly combines historical allure with coastal charm, featuring rich historical ruins alongside a picturesque beach. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
August 5, 2024
'Skylla Group' statues found in Laodicea
The colorful Skylla Group statues have come to light during the ongoing excavations in the ancient city of Laodicea in the western province of Denizli. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
A team of researchers led by a University of Michigan archaeologist has uncovered a hoard of gold coins, likely used to pay mercenary troops, buried in a small pot in the ancient Greek city of Notion in western Turkey. Source: phys.org
Archaeologists confirm 3 fires at Amida Hoyuk in Türkiye over millennia
Recent archaeological research at Amida Hoyuk, a 9,000-year-old site in Diyarbakir known as the “heart of the city,” has confirmed that the mound was burned three times throughout its history. Source: Türkiye Today
August 6, 2024
Rescued Urartian artifacts on display
The Urartian-era bronze, copper and silver artifacts, rescued from smugglers in the eastern province of Ağrı, are exhibited at the Kars Archaeology and Ethnography Museum. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Carvings at Göbeklitepe could be World’s Oldest Calendar
Experts suggest that markings on a stone pillar at the 12,000-year-old Göbeklitepe archaeological site in Türkiye probably represent the oldest solar calendar in history, having been established as a memorial to a catastrophic comet strike. Source: Arkeonews
August 9, 2024
Gümüşler Monastery home to ‘Laughing Virgin Mary’ fresco
Gümüşler Monastery in the central Anatolian province of Niğde, which also houses a church with paintings of Jesus, the Virgin Mary and prominent figures from the early days of Christianity, draws attention with its fresco of the “Laughing Virgin Mary.” Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Restoration of quake-hit Gaziantep Castle nears completion
The restoration work in the historical Gaziantep Castle, which was damaged during the Feb. 6, 2023 earthquakes, has been continuing uninterruptedly despite temperatures reaching 40 degrees in the city. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
August 10, 2024
The mystery of the 1,700-year-old mosaic, which was found during excavations in Amasya province in northern Turkey 11 years ago and started to be exhibited last year, has been solved. The research revealed that the Greek inscriptions ‘KTI – CIC’ and ‘ΠAPEM – BOΛH’ on the medallion with god figures in the center of the mosaic symbolize the Roman military unit. Source: Arkeonews
Excavations resume at Istanbul’s Bathonea ancient city
Archeological excavations in the ancient city of Bathonea, a site that dates back to the eighth and 11th centuries, have begun once again this year, uncovering remarkable finds that span from Viking relics to traces of an Umayyad siege. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
August 12, 2024
Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Culture and Tourism reported that an in-situ floor mosaic was found at the St Constantine and Helena Monastery Church in Ordu. Source: Arkeonews
Kültepe offers clues to climate adaptation 4,200 years ago
Harvey Weiss, a prominent professor of Near Eastern Archaeology at Yale University in the U.S., is leading a ground-breaking study at the ancient site of Kültepe, near the central Anatolian province of Kayseri, to explore the adaptive strategies of ancient societies in the face of environmental shifts. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
8,000-year-old rock paintings to be protected
A technical team from Izmir have examined the 8,000-year-old rock paintings discovered in the Karadere Cave in the Latmos Mountains at Bafa Lake, in order to protect them. Source: Voices Newspaper
Early Byzantine floor mosaic discovered in Church of St. Constantine and Helena Monastery in Türkiye
During excavation work at St. Constantine and Helena Monastery in Ordu, an in-situ (originally placed) floor mosaic from the early Byzantine period was uncovered. Source: Türkiye Today
August 13, 2024
Excavation season begins in the ancient city of Hattusha
Archaeological excavations at the 8,000-year-old ancient city of Hattusha in the Boğazkale district of Çorum, which started 118 years ago, are continuing this year with the participation of academics from various disciplines. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
During the archaeological excavations in the ancient city of Sardes, the capital of the Lydian Kingdom in western Türkiye, traces of the Battle of Thymbra, which took place in 546 BC between the Lydian King Croesus and the Persian Emperor Cyrus II and resulted in the defeat of the Lydian Kingdom and the conquest of Sardes, were found. Source: Arkeonews
August 14, 2024
Smyrna Theater to become second Ephesus of İzmir
Excavations have resumed at the 20,000-person Smyrna Theater, located on the outskirts of Kadifekale in the western province of İzmir's Konak district. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Mysterious Tarsus excavations in Türkiye reveal secrets of 6,000-year-old city
The relatively recent Tarsus excavations have captured global attention. Shrouded in secrecy and controversy, these digs have sparked intense speculation about what lies beneath this historically rich location in southern Türkiye. Source: Türkiye Today
August 15, 2024
Hellenistic-era library offers new insights into Stratonikeia
A library from the Hellenistic period has emerged as one of the latest treasures unearthed during the ongoing excavations in the ancient city of Stratonikeia, nestled in the western province of Muğla’s Yatağan district. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
8,000-year-old Female Figurine Discovered in Ulucak Höyük in Western Türkiye
One of the most prominent and oldest Neolithic sites found in what is now Turkey has yielded yet another interesting find – a clay statuette of a female figurine has been unearthed in Ulucak Höyük (Ulucak Mound), dated to 8.000 years ago. Source: Arkeonews
Archaeologists uncover Antonine-Era bust in Türkiye's Düzce
An archaeological dig at the ancient city of Prusias Ad Hypium in Düzce's Konuralp region, located in northwestern Türkiye along the Black Sea coast, has uncovered a portrait bust believed to belong to M. Iulius Proklos, who commissioned the theater’s stage building. Source: Daily Sabah
Shock discovery at Troy: Tomb of ‘Last Trojans’ unearthed
In excavations at the ancient city of Troy, located near Tevfikiye village in Canakkale, four human skeletons identified as the “Last Trojans” have been uncovered. This discovery sheds light on the lives of the final inhabitants of the ancient city. Source: Türkiye Today
Unveiling history: Oylum Hoyuk excavations reveal secrets of Türkiye’s Kilis
Excavations at Oylum Hoyuk, one of the largest mounds in the Southeastern Anatolian region, continue at full pace. Located near the Syrian border, the excavation project is a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Kilis Governorship, Gaziantep University, and the GAP Regional Development Administration. Source: Türkiye Today
6,400-year-old giant furnace discovered at Arslantepe Hoyuk in Türkiye
A giant oven dating back to 4,200-4,400 B.C. has been discovered during excavation work led by an international team coordinated by an Italian team at Arslantepe Hoyuk in Malatya. Source: Türkiye Today
August 16, 2024
Floor coverings found in church at Ayasuluk Hill
Archaeological excavations at Ayasuluk Hill, the first settlement of Ephesus in the Selçuk district of İzmir, have unearthed two different floor coverings from earlier periods on the southern cross arm of the St. Jean Church. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Archeologists unearth 6 sarcophagi, gravestone in Türkiye’s Seljuk Cemetery
Ongoing excavation and restoration efforts in the historic Seljuk Cemetery in the Gevas district of Van, are continuing to reveal important traces of Turkish-Islamic heritage. Known as Türkiye’s second-largest Turkish-Islamic cemetery, the site is yielding new gravestones while existing ones are being meticulously restored. Source: Türkiye Today
August 17, 2024
Agora of Aigai ancient city comes to light
An agora (city square) has been discovered during the excavations in the 2,700-year-old ancient city of Aigai in the western province of Manisa. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
4,000-Year-Old Seal Found at Tavşanlı Mound in Western Türkiye
4,000-year-old seal was found at the Tavşanlı Mound (or Tavşanlı Höyük) in Türkiye’s Kütahya province—located in the west of the Anatolian peninsula. Source: Arkeonews
August 20, 2024
Abandoned stones of historic Orhan Gazi Imaret await restoration in Türkiye
The 693-year-old Orhan Gazi Imaret, the first Ottoman charitable foundation in Bilecik, remains abandoned in the parking lot of the Sheikh Edebali Tomb, where its stones were relocated a year ago. Source: Türkiye Today
Istanbul’s Kariye Mosque introduces paid entry for foreign tourists
The iconic Kariye Mosque in Istanbul, a significant cultural and historical site, has introduced new entry regulations for foreign tourists. Source: Türkiye Today
Early Christian octagonal church unearthed in Türkiye’s Tyana
Archaeologists at Tyana Ancient City in Kemerhisar, Bor district of Nigde, in southern Türkiye, have unveiled an intriguing historical find: an early Christian octagonal church. Source: Türkiye Today
August 21, 2024
Mardin’s 400-year-old Syriac bazaar restored to boost tourism
Mardin’s historic 400-year-old Syriac Bazaar in the Dargecit district is undergoing a major restoration aimed at boosting tourism. Source: Türkiye Today
August 22, 2024
Ancient tomb uncovered in Türkiye’s ‘village of mice’ at Apollo Smintheion Sanctuary
Archaeological excavations at the Apollo Smintheion Sanctuary, located in Gulpinar village in Canakkale’s Ayvacik district – often referred to as the “village of mice” – have led to a significant discovery in 2024. A 1,700-year-old tomb was unearthed in the necropolis situated northwest of the temple. Source: Türkiye Today
2,800-year-old Urartu cistern restored in Türkiye
The restoration of a nearly 2,800-year-old water cistern from the Urartu period, found within Harput Castle in Türkiye's eastern Anatolia region, has been successfully finalized. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
August 23, 2024
Archaeologists unearth palace, agora and city wall in Troy
Excavations are ongoing to uncover structures in the 5,500-year-old ancient city of Troy, which lies within the borders of Tevfikiye village in the northwestern province of Çanakkale. The excavation team has been recently working in the agora area and the section between the palace structure and the city wall, dating back to the period associated with Homer's Troy, known as the Late Bronze Age. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Ankara’s historic mosques in dire need of refurbishment
The old village mosques in Ankara's Kalecik district, which draw attention with their elaborate wooden and wall decorations highlighting the skilled craftsmanship of their era, are now in dire need of refurbishment due to years of neglect and deterioration. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Ancient Greek god’s head found peeping out of Fethiye Castle
Archaeologists recently uncovered a head believed to belong to the ancient Greek god Apollo at Fethiye Castle in Mugla province. Source: Türkiye Today
2,800-year-old agricultural treasures unearthed in Türkiye’s Kahramanmaras
In a groundbreaking discovery, archaeologists at Yassi Hoyuk in Kahramanmaras, Türkiye have unearthed an extraordinary agricultural treasure: 21 kilograms (46.2 pounds) of carbonized chickpeas, apricot pits, wheat, grapes and garlic cloves dating back 2,800 years. Source: Türkiye Today
August 24, 2024
Historic polygonal structure offers AR tours in ancient city
Visitors can now experience the 1,850-year-old, 12-sided polygonal structure from the ancient city of Alexandria Troas as it comes to life through augmented reality, enabling them to explore its historical grandeur as if they were walking through it in its prime. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
New architectural treasures uncovered in ancient city of Van
Archeologists uncovered new architectural treasures through ongoing excavations in the ancient city of Van, located south of the renowned Van Castle. This site, rich with traces from various civilizations, is undergoing extensive archaeological exploration led by Van Yuzuncu Yil University (YYU) under the guidance of professor Gulsen Bas Terzioglu, supported by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Source: Türkiye Today
Ancient mosaics at Türkiye’s ancient city of Sardes brought back to life by local women
The capital of the Lydian Kingdom, ancient city of Sardes, known as the birthplace of coinage, is home to one of the largest synagogues of the ancient world. Its nearly 2,000-year-old floor mosaics are being restored to their original glory by a dedicated group of local women from the surrounding rural areas. Source: Türkiye Today
August 25, 2024
Ancient jewelry unveiled for Erzurum Museum’s new series of annual exhibitions
Erzurum Museum has unveiled 175 artifacts, many of which have never been displayed before, including jewelry dating back 3,500 years, in an exhibition offering a window into various civilizations that lived in the region. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Rock-carved settlement in Bolu designated as protected area
The ancient rock carvings and settlement in the northwestern province of Bolu's Kıbrıscık district have been officially designated as a "First-Degree Archeological Site.” Source: Hürriyet Daily News
August 26, 2024
Battle of Manzikert’s traces unveiled with discovered arrowheads in Türkiye
Numerous arrowheads bearing battle marks from the historic Battle of Manzikert (Malazgirt) have been unearthed during excavations at the Malazgirt Historical Muslim Cemetery, Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy announced Monday. Source: Türkiye Today
Ancient Roman ‘traffic signs’ on display at Türkiye’s Bogazkale Museum
Bogazkale Museum in Corum presents eight ancient Roman milestones, dating back approximately 2,000 years. These cylindrical stones, discovered during excavations in Bogazkale, served as early traffic signs for the Roman Empire, guiding travelers and armies by indicating directions and distances to key destinations. Source: Türkiye Today
Traces of a medieval market discovered in Türkiye’s ancient city of Aphrodisias
Archaeological excavations in Aydin’s Karacasu district have uncovered traces of a medieval market in the ancient city of Aphrodisias. This market is believed to have been an international trading hub frequented by various Eastern Mediterranean communities. Source: Türkiye Today
August 27, 2024
Türkiye’s Arslantepe Hoyuk yields 7,000-year-old animal seal stones
Archaeologists have made a groundbreaking discovery at Arslantepe Hoyuk, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Malatya, Türkiye. Two animal-engraved seals, crafted from stone and bone, have been unearthed, dating back 7,000 years. These seals, the oldest ever found at the site, offer a new glimpse into the ancient cultures that once thrived in this region. Source: Türkiye Today
Middle Bronze Age city unearthed in Kinik Hoyuk, Türkiye
In the ongoing excavations at Kinik Hoyuk, located near Yesilyurt village in the Altunhisar district of Nigde, archaeologists have uncovered remnants of fortifications and a settlement dating back to the Middle Bronze Age city. Source: Türkiye Today
August 28, 2024
Ancient Roman emperors’ embrace unveiled at Türkiye’s Kocaeli museum
In a momentous event for archaeology enthusiasts, the Kocaeli Archaeology Museum has unveiled a remarkable relic after more than two decades. This ancient relief, which vividly portrays the ancient Roman emperors’ embrace of Diocletian and Maximian during a ceremonial event, is now available for public viewing. Source: Türkiye Today
1000-year-old industrial site unearthed at Türkiye’s Harput Castle
In a remarkable archaeological breakthrough, a 1000-year-old industrial site has been uncovered at Harput Castle in Elazig, Türkiye. This historic find, which was actively used during the Middle Ages and Early Modern Period, includes iron workshops, metal smelting furnaces and storage areas. Source: Türkiye Today
August 29, 2024
Eskipazar Protohistoric Era project to unveil hidden ancient history in Türkiye
An archaeological project, set to begin in September 2024, will delve into the rich history of the Karabuk region. Launched by renowned archaeologist Emrullah Kalkan from Hitit University’s Archaeology Department, the Eskipazar Protohistoric Era Survey Project aims to uncover significant Bronze Age artifacts and shed new light on the district’s past. Source: Türkiye Today
Traces of elite class in Chalcolithic Period uncovered at Türkiye’s Bekcitepe Hoyuk
Recent excavations at Bekcitepe Hoyuk near Havuzlu village in Bor district have unveiled evidence suggesting the formation of an elite class during the Middle Chalcolithic period. Source: Türkiye Today
3,600-year-old bronze dagger unearthed in Mediterranean Sea near Türkiye’s Antalya
In a remarkable underwater excavation near Antalya’s Kumluca district, archaeologists have discovered a 3,600-year-old bronze dagger with silver rivets, believed to be linked to the ancient Cretan-Minos civilization. Source: Türkiye Today
August 30, 2024
Hittite ornament on display at museum
A nearly 3,300-year-old bone ornament found during the archaeological excavation in the ancient city of Hattusha in the Boğazkale district of Çorum is now on display at the Boğazkale Museum. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
1,700-Year-Old Roman Ringstone Depicting Goddess Athena Discovered at Assos
A Roman Imperial Period ringstone depicting Athena, the mother goddess of the Assos ancient city, has been discovered in the Ksenedochion structure (hostelry buildings) in the Assos Ruins in the Ayvacık district of Çanakkale. Source: Arkeonews
August 31, 2024
Excavations in Türkiye’s Amastris reveal 1,600-year-old earthquake, flood damage
A groundbreaking discovery in the ancient city of Amastris in Türkiye’s Bartin province has brought to light the remnants of a marble-columned structure, destroyed nearly 1,600 years ago by a series of catastrophic events. Source: Türkiye Today
Minoan bronze dagger discovered in Antalya
A 3,600-year-old bronze dagger, believed to be from the Minoan civilization, has been unearthed off the coast of Kumluca in Antalya, marking a major archaeological discovery. Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy emphasized the significance of the discovery, calling it one of the most important finds in the history of underwater archaeology. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
New Discovery at Karahan Tepe: The Figure of a Running Wild Donkey Carved on Stone
The figure of a running wild donkey carved on a stone was discovered during excavations at Karahan Tepe, a Pre-Pottery Neolithic site located in Şanlıurfa, southeast Türkiye. Source: Arkeonews
6,000-year-old settlement unearthed in eastern Türkiye
Archaeologists have discovered traces of a settlement dating back approximately 6,000 years at Degirmenler Mound in Erzurum, eastern Türkiye. The discovery, made during a two-month excavation that began on July 1, has uncovered settlement layers, along with human and animal bones and ceramics, which are currently under analysis. Source: Türkiye Today
Türkiye’s Silifke Castle reveals evidence of ‘cult of dead’ in new archaeological dig
An intriguing array of ancient artifacts, believed to be evidence of the cult of the dead, has been uncovered in recent archaeological excavations at Silifke Castle in Mersin. Source: Türkiye Today
