June 2022 in Turkish archaeology

Red Basilica of Pergamon
Red Basilica of Pergamon

Among the archaeological discoveries made in June 2022 within the area of Turkey, it is worth mentioning a burial monument from the late Hellenistic period in the Haydarpaşa Train Station in Istanbul’s Kadıköy neighborhood and 8,200-year-old stone cutting tools from the Yeşilova Mound in Izmir. Moreover, during the excavations around the Red Basilica at Pergamon, an ancient city in western Turkey that is a UNESCO World Heritage site, a geometric patterned floor mosaic was discovered. Finally, treasure hunters revealed a 2,700-year-old Urartian temple in Garibin Tepe in Alaköy, 28 kilometers northwest of Van city center.

Turkish Archaeological News collects the most important, interesting and inspiring news from Turkish excavation sites. Here's the review for June. Have we missed anything? Let us know by using Contact tab!

June 1, 2022

Haydarpaşa Station offers big surprises

An important discovery has been made during the excavations in the Haydarpaşa Train Station in Istanbul’s Kadıköy neighborhood. A burial monument from the late Hellenistic period, which is a first for Istanbul, has been unearthed. Source: Hürriyet Daily News

Karahantepe; It will radically change the way we look at the Neolithic Age

Karahantepe excavation head Professor Necmi Karul, who participated in the “42nd International Symposium on Excavations, Surveys, and Archaeometry” held in Denizli, said that “the artifacts unearthed or to be reached will provide important information to the scientific world, especially about the Neolithic Age.” Source: Arkeonews

Overgrowth takes over 3,000-year-old Amasra Fortress

In northern Turkey's Bartın one can find amazing scenes and spectacles as beautiful waves of the Black Sea wash up against a 3,000-year-old fortress in northern Turkey's Bartın, where comprehensive cleaning work is set to begin to clear tree roots from the castle due to them damaging the historical structure. Source: Daily Sabah

June 2, 2022

Rural women’s touch in archaeology

While excavation, restoration and conservation works continue for 12 months in Stratonikeia, the world’s largest marble ancient city in the Yatağan district of Muğla, 80 percent of those involved in the excavations are women. Housewives living in Yatağan and its surrounding rural neighborhoods also contribute to their home economy. Source: Hürriyet Daily News

Turkish-European Archaeology Days to show backstage research of digs

French Institute of Anatolian Studies (IFEA) and Institut français Istanbul are organizing Turkish-European Archaeology Days on June 17-19 within the framework of European Archaeology Days. The event, which will be open to all, will take place at Institut français Istanbul. Source: Daily Sabah

June 8, 2022

Earthanware pitos found in Turkey’s Prusias ad Hypium

An asymmetrical pithos, or a very large earthenware jar, used for water or grain storage has been found during the excavations carried out in the ancient city of Prusias ad Hypium in the northwestern province of Düzce. Source: Daily Sabah

June 16, 2022

Taş Tepeler’s male sculptures

The numerous findings of male sculptures and male figurines in the Taş Tepeler region may be an indication of a culture that symbolized the importance of fertility and population. Source: Arkeonews

A Pagan cemetery belongs to the Late Roman Empire period in Istanbul

During the restoration of the ancient Sheikh Suleiman Mosque, which was restored as part of the Med-Art Education Project by the Turkish General Directorate of Foundations and the Italian Association for Architecture, Art and City Restoration, a pagan cemetery that preserved its originality was unearthed. Source: Arkeonews

The 3200-year-old Mycenaean figure that brought Ephesus together with the Hittite civilization

A 3,200-year-old Mycenaean figurine that could change the perspective on the history of civilization in Western Anatolia during the Bronze Age was found during the excavations at Ayasuluk Tepe in the Selçuk district of İzmir. Source: Arkeonews

The first settlement of the Cimmerians in Anatolia may be Büklükale

Archaeologists estimated that the first settlement in Anatolia of the Cimmerians, who left Southern Ukraine before Christ (about 8th century BC), was Büklükale. Source: Arkeonews

Cutting tools found in mound

Archaeological excavations carried out in the Yeşilova Mound, where the first settlers of the city lived in the Bornova district of İzmir, have unearthed 8,200-year-old stone cutting tools. Source: Hürriyet Daily News

June 18, 2022

10,000-year-old Sculptures and Figurines holding Phallus of the Taş Tepeler in the southeast Turkey

One of the common features of male depictions with similar features found in the region called Taş Tepeler (Stone Hills), located in southeast Turkey, is holding a phallus, either standing or sitting. Source: Arkeonews

An 1800-year-old geometric patterned mosaic was discovered in Turkey’s ancient city of Bergama

During excavations surrounding the Red Basilica at Pergamon, an ancient city in western Turkey that is a UNESCO World Heritage site, a geometric patterned floor mosaic was discovered. The artifact is estimated to be from the second-third centuries A.D. Source: Arkeonews

Treasure hunters revealed a 2,700-year-old Urartian temple in the east of Turkey

Treasure hunters revealed a 2,700-year-old Urartian temple. A group of treasure hunters, who were digging illegally to find treasure in Garibin Tepe in Alaköy, 28 kilometers northwest of Van city center, unintentionally made an important historical discovery. Source: Arkeonews

June 20, 2022

Ancient seeds found in southern Turkey

The seeds of grapes, lentils, broad beans, peas, wheat and barley have been found during archaeological excavations in the ancient city of Misis in the southern province of Adana’s Yüreğir district. Source: Hürriyet Daily News

Roman marble female figure found in Turkey's Tyana

During the drilling excavations carried out by the Niğde Museum Directorate in the ancient city of Tyana, an intact female figure made of marble with clear facial features was unearthed. Source: Daily Sabah

June 21, 2022

Hell’s Gate in Turkey opens for visitors

Turkey is counting on dark tourism dollars after a famed archaeological site in the western province of Denizli, known as Hell’s Gate, opened to regular visitors for the first time on Monday. Source: Daily Sabah

June 23, 2022

Archaeologists continue to unearth NE Turkey's Ani ruins

Scientists, art historians, archaeologists, architects and students from 17 universities have restarted the excavations on the ruins of the archaeological site of Ani, located in Turkey’s northeastern Kars province, at four different points. The archaeological digs aim to reveal more historical artifacts and remains. Source: Daily Sabah

June 24, 2022

Child grave with bracelets and gifts found in ancient city

A furnace for commercial production and a child’s grave with glass bracelets and gifts inside have been found for the first time during this year’s excavations in the ancient city of Kelenderis, established on the Mediterranean coast in the southern province of Mersin 2,800 years ago. Source: Hürriyet Daily News

June 26, 2022

Turkish, Mongolian scientists trace Ilkhanid palace in Turkey's Van

Turkish and Mongolian scientists are working to find the remains of a summer palace and settlement thought to have been built by the Mongol Ilkhanid State ruler Hulagu Khan in the Çaldıran district of eastern Turkey's Van province in the 1260s. Source: Daily Sabah

June 27, 2022

Göbeklitepe's latest mystery reveals stone tool technology

A recent discovery has revealed the traces of stone tool technology produced by the printing method transferred from Siberia to Göbeklitepe. Source: Daily Sabah

June 28, 2022

‘Traces of Scent’ opens at Şanlıurfa Museum

With the cooperation of the Şanlıurfa Archeology Museum and Fragrance Culture Association, the “Mesopotamia in the Traces of Scent” exhibition has been opened as a result of a three-year study, contributed by academics and archaeologists. Source: Hürriyet Daily News

June 29, 2022

Roman-era artifacts found in archaeology park excavations

The archaeological park excavations, carried out by the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality, have unearthed many movable and non-movable Roman-era artifacts. Source: Hürriyet Daily News

June 30, 2022

2,300-year-old Eros figure on display in Izmir museum

A 2,300-year-old figure depicting Eros, the Greek god of love in mythology, has been put on display at the Izmir Archeology Museum. The artifact is being showcased for the first time in 42 years after it was found in archaeological excavations in southwestern Muğla province. Source: Daily Sabah