May 2018 was a busy month for the archaeologists working in the area of Turkey, including those active in the ancient site of Lyrboton Kome in the southern province of Antalya, in Milas, and in the newly discovered site in Bayburt. Moreover, two new museums were announced to open soon: in Uşak to display the world-famous treasure belonging to the Lydian King Croesus, and in Van, to present Urartian artifacts.
Turkish Archaeological News collects the most important, interesting and inspiring news from Turkish excavation sites. Here's the review for May 2018. Have we missed anything? Let us know by using Contact tab!
May 3, 2018
Ancient city in southern Turkey up for sale at $8.35M
A 2,500-year-old ancient city located in Turkey's southern Muğla province is on sale for 35 million Turkish liras ($8.35 million), while officials are unable to protect its historical heritage as the land it is located on is private property. Source: Daily Sabah
May 5, 2018
Kilistra takes visitors to the past
The ancient city of Kilistra, which was inhabited in the 3rd century B.C. and draws attention for its Cappadocia-like texture, is home to a cross-planned chapel, the Hyacinth (Sümbül) Church, and a large water cistern. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
May 6, 2018
Istanbul’s iconic Spice Bazaar receives facelift
A comprehensive restoration of Istanbul’s historic Spice Bazaar, located near the iconic Hagia Sophia Museum and Blue Mosque, has been completed. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
May 7, 2018
Famous Croesus treasure to be displayed at Turkish museum
The ancient world-famous treasure belonging to the Lydian King Croesus will soon be displayed at a newly built museum in Turkey's Uşak province. Source: Daily Sabah
May 8, 2018
Turkish security forces seize 2 ancient gold-plated Torahs
Gendarmerie units in Turkey's northwestern Bilecik province confiscated two rare, ancient, gold-plated Torahs, estimated to be worth at least TL 8 million ($1.86 million), reports said. Source: Daily Sabah
May 9, 2018
Thousands of artifacts to be displayed at Urartian Museum
The construction of the Urartian Museum in the eastern province of Van has been completed and will soon open to display nearly 100,000 artifacts from various civilizations. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Ottoman, early republic medical history on display in Ankara museum
Opened in 1986, the Gülhane Medical Museum features antique objects related to the history of medicine in Turkey as well as documents about military medical practices, sanitary services, warfare surgery and a photography collection of war history. Source: Daily Sabah
May 13, 2018
Two corridors discovered in 1,700-year-old temple of ancient religion in Diyarbakır
Archaeologists discovered two new corridors in a 1,700-year-old Roman-era temple belonging to the Mithras religion as part of the excavations conducted in the Zerzevan Castle in southeastern Diyarbakır province. Source: Daily Sabah
May 14, 2018
Historical school displays historical pieces
The Educational History Museum, which was opened within the body of Alparslan Anatolian High School, established in Kars province 86 years ago, both reveals a rich history and takes its visitors on a journey into the past. Source: Daily Sabah
May 14, 2018
Antalya’s Lyrboton Kome ready to open to visitors
The 2,200-year-old ancient city of Lyrboton Kome in the southern province of Antalya, a stone’s throw away from contemporary life, is ready to host visitors. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
May 14, 2018
12 ‘Gypsy Girl’ mosaics return to Turkey from US
The Turkish Culture and Tourism Ministry signed an agreement on May 14 with Bowling Green State University (BGSU) in Ohio in the United States for the return of 12 ancient Zeugma mosaic pieces looted during illegal excavations in Turkey’s southeastern province of Gaziantep nearly 50 years ago. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
May 17, 2018
Historical caravanserai in central Turkey serves its purpose
Built in 1240 during the Seljuk period, the Karatay Caravanserai in the Bünyan district of central Turkey's Kayseri was one of the most important hans (large inns) on the ancient Silk Road. Source: Daily Sabah
New rock paintings discovered in Latmos
Two new caves and a rock shelter have been discovered on Mount Latmos (Beşparmak), located between the western provinces of Aydın and Muğla. The wall of the caves are decorated with paintings, dating back to 8,000 years ago, and the rock shelter is decorated with frescoes. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Snake Castle restored to welcome visitors
The 12th-century Yılankale (Snake Castle) in southeastern Turkey's Adana is known to the locals as the house of Shahmaran, a mythical creature that is half snake, half woman. Source: Daily Sabah
May 22, 2018
Historical Milas houses renovated for visitors
Eight structures from the Ottoman and Republic eras, located in Uzunyuva Mausoleum Archaeological Park where the mausoleum of King Hekatomnos, which was called "the archaeological discovery of the century" when it was discovered in Milas, Muğla in 2010, have been renovated and opened for tourists. Source: Daily Sabah
May 23, 2018
Historic Virgin Mary Church in Kayseri to become library
The century-old Virgin Mary Church in the central Anatolian province of Kayseri is being turned into a library by the municipality. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
May 27, 2018
Archaeologic field unearthed in Bayburt
An archaeological field has been unearthed in the eastern province of Bayburt. The field is similar to the ancient city of Satala, which is thought to have served as the military headquarters of the Roman Empire, in the Black Sea province of Gümüşhane. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
May 28, 2018
A headless woman sculpture unearthed during cleaning works in a late Roman-era theater in the northwestern province of Kırklareli’s Vize district will be displayed in the yard of the Kırklareli Museum. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Researchers to launch excavation work at newly discovered ancient site in Turkey's Bayburt
The Ministry of Culture and Tourism has launched a project to carry out excavations at a newly-discovered archaeological site located in Turkey's northeastern Bayburt province. Source: Daily Sabah
May 30, 2018
Erdoğan opens renovated tomb of Mehmed the Conqueror
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Wednesday attended the opening of the renovated tomb of Ottoman ruler Sultan Mehmed II, known for his conquest of Istanbul in 1453. Source: Daily Sabah
1,700-year-old pagan grave discovered at mosque site in Istanbul
The oldest pagan grave in Istanbul has been discovered during the restoration of a historical mosque in Zeyrek neighborhood in Fatih district, reports said Wednesday. Source: Daily Sabah
