In December 2023, some significant archaeological discoveries were announced for the area of Turkey. In the southeastern region, a rare 800-year-old bronze talismanic healing bowl was discovered in Hasankeyf excavations. In the Aegean region, a workshop dating back 8,200 years, showing the village life, pleasure, eating and drinking culture of the people of İzmir, was unearthed in Yeşilova Mound. Finally, in the Black Sea region, during ongoing excavations in the ancient city of Prusias ad Hypium, archaeologists uncovered a beautiful mosaic featuring a duo of lions.
Turkish Archaeological News collects the most important, interesting and inspiring news from Turkish excavation sites. Here's the review for December 2023. Have we missed anything? Let us know by using Contact tab!
December 4, 2023
A rare bronze talismanic healing bowl was discovered in Hasankeyf excavations
During the ongoing excavations in the Hasankeyf mound in Batman, one of the oldest settlements in the world, an 800-year-old healing bowl and two zihgir (archery rings) made of agate and bone used by archers were found. Source: Arkeonews
Century-old school in Türkiye's Antalya restored into library
The historic 90-year-old Taş Mektep, known as the "Stone School," in the coastal city of Antalya has been meticulously restored and transformed into a vibrant library through collaborative efforts supported by the Antalya Governorship. Source: Daily Sabah
December 5, 2023
8,200-year-old workshop in Yeşilova Mound
A workshop dating back 8,200 years, showing the village life, pleasure, eating and drinking culture of the people of İzmir, has been unearthed in Yeşilova Mound in the Bornova district of İzmir. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
December 6, 2023
Lion Mosaic Links Prusias ad Hypium Theater to Dionysus Cult
During ongoing excavations in the ancient city of Prusias ad Hypium in Turkey, archaeologists have uncovered a beautiful mosaic featuring a duo of lions. The excavation team, operating above the ancient city's theater, discovered the lion mosaic within a structure linked to the portico. The mosaic-clad room likely served as a late Roman cult site, symbolizing the broader lifestyle of the society or group inhabiting the area, possibly worshipping Dionysus. Source: Ancient Origins
December 7, 2023
Center of Helenopolis detected with georadar
A georadar study has been initiated in the Altınova district of Yalova to detect the center of the ancient city of Helenopolis, the site of the Battle of Befeus, the first armed conflict between the Ottoman Empire and the Byzantine Empire. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
US returns $8 mln of stolen treasures to Türkiye
United States authorities have returned $8 million of stolen antiquities, some of which were plundered as far back as the 1960s to Türkiye, a prosecutor said on Dec. 5. Among the 41 pieces returned were two Heads of the Roman emperor Caracalla and the Bust of a Lady which were trafficked from Bubon, a Roman-era site in southwest Türkiye which was extensively looted in the 1960s. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
December 8, 2023
A Dancing Muse statue 2175 years old was found in the ancient city of Stratonikeia
The latest discovery in the ongoing excavations in the Ancient City of Stratonikeia, known as the city of eternal loves and gladiators, was a “Dancing Muse” statue, an iconic figure from ancient mythology. Source: Arkeonews
UNESCO recognizes Ramadan meal tradition of iftar
The Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage inscribed iftar on its list of intangible cultural heritage along with Lebanese bread manoushe and art of Italian opera singing. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
December 13, 2023
Istanbul century-old church set to reopen in 2024
The meticulous restoration initiative of the 130-year-old Panayia Evangelistria Greek Orthodox Church, nestled in Istanbul's Beyoğlu district, continues its transformative journey, promising a resurgence in its original splendor for worship by next year. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
December 18, 2023
Ruins of a temple belonging to the goddess Kubaba were found in the Ancient City of Kastabala. Source: Arkeonews
December 20, 2023
Plants found in Kültepe under examination
Several plant species that have been unearthed during archaeological excavations in the 6,000-year-old Kültepe Kaniş Karum Ruins, where the first written tablets of Anatolia were found, are being examined by local and foreign experts and contributing to the world of science. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
1,800 year old surgical tools found in Zerzevan Castle in Diyarbakır
Some surgical tools dating back 1800 years were found near an underground temple belonging to the Mithras religion during excavations at Zerzevan Castle, which served as a Roman garrison for centuries, located in Diyarbakır. Source: Daily Sabah
December 22, 2023
Ancient Metropolis findings made public
Lots of monumental structures and artifacts have been unearthed during works carried out by Dokuz Eylül University (DEU) in the ancient city of Metropolis, located in the Torbalı district of İzmir. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
December 23, 2023
An 8,500-year-old trepanned skull discovered in Çatalhöyük
Traces of trepanation (skull drilling operation) were found on a skull found in the 9,000-year-old Çatalhöyük, near the modern city of Konya in central Turkey. Source: Arkeonews
December 27, 2023
Landmark Medes Artifacts Unearthed in Anatolian Archaeology
In a monumental discovery that traces the footprints of the ancient Medes civilization in the Anatolian landscape, archaeologists have unearthed a treasure trove of artifacts and structures at Oluz Mound, located in the Amasya province of northern Turkey. The major breakthrough includes religious altars, architectural remnants, and fragments of pottery, illuminating the life and practices of the Medes, an ancient Iranian people, in this region. Source: BNN Breaking
Archaeologists find monumental tomb at ancient Hamaxitus
Recent excavations conducted by the Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University’s Department of Archaeology (ÇOMÜ) have uncovered a 2,000-year-old monumental tomb from the Roman period next to the Apollon Smintheus Sanctuary. Source: Heritage Daily
