Turkish Archaeological News collects the most important, interesting and inspiring news from Turkish excavation sites. Here's the review for June 2017. Have we missed anything? Let us know by using Contact tab!
June 1, 2017
High-tech backed repair begins at Topkapı Palace
After a number of scientific reports raised the alarm that Istanbul’s historic Topkapı Palace is sliding steadily toward the sea, officials have launched a restoration effort that is planned to take around three decades. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Gravestone of Ancient Roman couple stirs interest in Malatya
A gravestone dating back almost 2,000 years, which a Roman-era man named Claudius Amiantus made for himself and the memory of his wife Iphigenia, is currently drawing great interest at the Archaeology Museum in the eastern province of Malatya. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
June 2, 2017
Ancient slingshot stones ‘were aerodynamic,’ dig reveals
Archaeological excavations on the Aktopraklık Mound in the northwestern province of Bursa’s Nilüfer district have unearthed 8,500-year-old stones that were used for slingshots which boasted a throwing mechanism that is today known as the Palestinian slingshot. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
June 3, 2017
Ancient monumental grave under agricultural field in Mardin
The monumental grave of ancient Greek astrologist and philosopher Aratos, which is inside the ancient city of Soli Poempiopolis in the southern Turkish province of Mersin’s Mezitli district, is currently used as an agricultural field, underneath a large greenhouse. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Ancient underground city with 52 chambers discovered in Turkey's Kayseri
An ancient underground city with 52 chambers has been discovered in Turkey's central Kayseri province after shepherds and local residents informed authorities about a cave in the area, reports said Saturday. The city is expected to be opened to tourism and welcome tourists. Source: Daily Sabah
100-year-old shipwreck discovered in Gulf of Izmir
Researchers have discovered a 100-year-old shipwreck in the Gulf of Izmir off Çiğli district, Izmir Metropolitan Municipality said Saturday. The shipwreck is thought to be one of the Greek vessels leaving the city following the Greco-Turkish War. Source: Daily Sabah
June 7, 2017
Turkey’s Siirt calls for restoration of 900-year-old monastery
Only a few walls remain of the historic Mor Yakup Monastery in southeastern Turkey's Siirt province, but the city's Tourism Promotion Association President Vehip Emrah is calling for its restoration. Source: Daily Sabah
June 8, 2017
6th-century priest sculpture stolen from museum in southwestern Turkey
The 6th-century sculpture of a priest has been stolen from a museum in the Yalvaç district of the southwestern Turkish province of Isparta. Source: Daily Sabah
Mardin Castle may be opened to tourism
The 3,000-year-old Mardin Castle, known as the Eagle’s Nest but closed to visitors as it serves as a military base as part of a protocol with NATO, may be the latest addition to a list of tourist attractions, Doğan News Agency has reported. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
June 11, 2017
7,500 year-old drill bit found at prehistoric village in Turkey’s Bursa province
A 7,500-year-old pointed flint stone resembling modern-day drill bits has been discovered at a prehistoric village in Turkey's northwestern Bursa province, reports said Sunday. Source: Daily Sabah
June 12, 2017
5,000-year-old ceramic tradition revived
Ceramic production in Van, which dates back to the Urartu Kingdom, is being revived by the Ceramic Workshop Application Project in the village of Bardakçı, supported by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism's General Directorate of Fine Arts. Source: Daily Sabah
60 million-year-old marine fossils found in northern Turkey
A scientist discovered 60 million-year-old marine fossils Monday during geological research at Ilgaz Mountain in northern Turkey. Source: Daily Sabah
Turkey’s Hatay to host world’s largest mosaics museum
The Hatay Archaeology Museum in southern Turkey is slated to host the world's largest collection of mosaics following the planned inauguration of a new section of the facility. Source: Daily Sabah
June 16, 2017
Restoration starts in Seljuk graveyard
Excavation, restoration and conservation work has started in the historic Seljuk graveyard in the eastern province of Bitlis’ Ahlat, which is currently on UNESCO’s World Heritage tentative list. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
June 19, 2017
2,700-year-old ancient fountain in Old İzmir still active
Although it is hard to come by these days, good news that extends beyond the supernatural has come from the Old İzmir excavation site located in İzmir's Bayraklı district, where a 2,700 year-old ancient fountain is still active and in good condition. Source: Daily Sabah
Traces of measures against quakes seen in Troy
The issue of earthquake returned to prominence again last week after a 6.2-magnitude quake shook İzmir’s Karaburun coast, again raising fears about Turkey’s level of preparation for a massive temblor. Now, new findings suggest the question also vexed the minds of Trojan engineers and architects around three millennia ago. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
1,600-year-old mosaic found in Turkey’s Adıyaman
A mosaic structure dating back to the 4th century has been found in the Gölbaşı district of the eastern Turkish province of Adıyaman. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
June 21, 2017
Turkish Hercules on display in Geneva
A Roman-era sarcophagus of Hercules is currently on display in Geneva, Switzerland, but will return to its home in the Mediterranean province of Antalya following a Swiss court ruling in 2015. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
June 22, 2017
Turkish farmer discovers 10-meter-long mosaic dating back to 5th century
A Turkish farmer on Thursday discovered a 10-meter-long mosaic piece depicting different figures and writings which is believed to date back to Roman times in 5th century A.D. in southeastern Adıyaman province. Source: Daily Sabah
Smugglers caught with 2,500-year-old artifacts from Turkey’s Knidos
Three smugglers who stole artifacts from the ancient city of Knidos in Turkey's western Datça district have been caught red-handed by police. Source: Daily Sabah
June 23, 2017
Ancient road found in Termessos ancient city
A 2,300-year-old ancient road has been unearthed in the ancient city of Termessos in the southern province of Antalya. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Archaeologists discover million-year-old stone artifacts in Turkey’s Tunceli
Turkish archaeologists have unearthed stone artifacts in eastern Tunceli province that date back to the earliest era of humankind. Source: Daily Sabah
June 24, 2017
Mosque, Symbol of Antalya's conquest, being restored
Antalya's Kesik Minare Mosque, an 800 year-old treasure that symbolizes the conquest of the city, will undergo its first restoration in 122 years. Source: Daily Sabah
Amasra Museum becomes center for int’l researchers
The Amasra Museum, which has opened after a three-year restoration work with a cost of 3 million Turkish Liras, has become an international application center for archaeologists, engineers, architects and academics and an education center providing history and archaeology education for students. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Koç University reveals the “Curious Case of Çatalhöyük”
Koç University’s Research Center for Anatolian Civilizations has opened the exhibition “The Curious Case of Çatalhöyük,” celebrating the 25th excavation season of the Çatalhöyük Research Project. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Sümela Monastery's Hagia Varvara Church restored for tourism
The inactive Hagia Varvara Church on the pathway to the historic Sümela Monastery, located in the Maçka district of Trabzon, will open for tourism after restoration and surveying work by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Source: Daily Sabah
June 25, 2017
Mosaic found in Adıyaman field
A farmer in the southeastern province of Adıyaman’s Besni district, Mehmet Dağ, has uncovered a 10-meter mosaic dating back to the 5th century B.C. Roman era. Officials have taken the mosaic to Şanlıurfa. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
June 27, 2017
Treasure hunters destroy historic hill in Turkey's Antalya
Treasure hunters have destroyed the Çağman Hill in the southern province of Antalya’s Korkuteli district. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
June 30, 2017
Artifacts in ancient Tripolis show that backgammon dates back 2,000 years
Archaeological excavations in the western province of Denizli’s Buldan district have unearthed many finds related to “ludus duodecim scriptorum,” a Roman-era version of the popular game backgammon. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
