Although October 2022 was a relatively quiet month when it comes to archaeological news from Turkey, the end of this month brought a sensational announcement from the archaeologists working for the Austrian Academy of Sciences. They were able to uncover an early Byzantine business and gastronomy district in the centre of ancient Ephesus. It is the most important discovery in the city since the now famous Terrace Houses were found half a century ago. The newly excavated area, located next to Domitian Square, was suddenly destroyed in 614/615 CE. All the household goods in the rooms were sealed by a thick burnt layer and thus preserved for posterity, making it possible to get unique snapshots of ancient life.
Turkish Archaeological News collects the most important, interesting and inspiring news from Turkish excavation sites. Here's the review for October 2022. Have we missed anything? Let us know by using Contact tab!
October 4, 2022
The ancient city of Hadrianopolis, located in Eskipazar district of Karabuk province in the north of Turkey, the ancient city is called the “Zeugma of the Black Sea” because of its mosaics depicting many animals such as horses, elephants, panthers, deer, and griffons. Source: Arkeonews
1800-year-old marble inscription found in Turkey’s Aigai excavations deciphered
The 1800-year-old inscription, consisting of 3 pieces of marble, found in the excavations in the ancient city of Aigai in western Turkey’s province of Manisa, was deciphered. The translated marble inscription describes the Aigai people’s distress as a result of Roman tax officials’ practices. Source: Arkeonews
October 5, 2022
Monumental synagogue emerges from ancient ruins in Turkey
A museum in western Turkey will soon exhibit artifacts from the largest known synagogue of the ancient world, uncovered fully after six decades of American-led excavations at Sardis, once the seat of power of the fabulously rich King Croesus. Source: Al-Monitor
October 6, 2022
1,800-year-old Bronze military medal with Medusa head found in southeastern Turkey
A military medal believed to be almost 1,800 years old has been found by archaeologists in Turkey. The discovery was made during excavations in the ancient city of Perre, located in the province of Adıyaman in the southeast of the country. Source: Arkeonews
Names on frescoes of Sümela Monastery erased
Work has been initiated in the historical Sümela Monastery to erase the names and love quotes on the frescoes that have been restored painstakingly by a group of 14 restaurateurs and chemists. The monastery, located in the Maçka district of the northern province of Trabzon, was opened to visitors this year after six years of restoration work, and even the waterways have been changed for the restoration of the frescoes on the walls. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
October 7, 2022
A pendant with a figure of St. Nicholas found in the Ancient Church Hidden in Turkish Lake
Underwater archaeological excavations and research, which were started 8 years ago in the basilica located 20 meters off the lake shore at a depth of 1.5-2 meters in the Iznik district of Bursa, in western Turkey, continue with new discoveries. The research team unearthed a large number of finds and a pendant with the name and figure of St. Nicholas on it during the dives that continued since the beginning of August. Source: Arkeonews
October 9, 2022
Ancient temple offerings on display for the first time
Temple offerings from various periods were put on display at the İzmir Archaeology Museum. The artifacts that have been kept in storage and have not been displayed before are on display as part of the museum’s “12 Months 12 Exhibitions” project. In this month’s exhibition, a total of 10 temple offerings such as votive nails and medallions made of terracotta, bronze and lead materials, started to be exhibited. The museum reported that a terracotta temple model from the Hellenistic period, which is among the works, was found in 2013 in the ancient city of Kyme, near the Aliağa district of İzmir. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
October 12, 2022
Tomb of ‘Santa Claus’ unearthed in Antalya
An excavation team has unearthed the exact place of the tomb of Saint Nicholas, also known as “Santa Claus,” and the floor on which he walked, inside the St. Nicholas Church in the southern province of Antalya’s Demre district. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
October 15, 2022
Drought unveils sunken basilica in Turkey
The sunken basilica remains discovered in 2014 became visible as a result of Lake Iznik’s water withdrawal. Source: Arkeonews
October 18, 2022
2600-year-old Med period artifacts found in Oluz Höyük, in Turkey
During the Oluz Höyük excavations in Amasya, artifacts dating back to the Med Kingdom period were found, dating back to 2,600 years. Source: Arkeonews
October 19, 2022
Ancient whistle found in Assos
During the excavations in the 7,000-year-old Assos ruins in Behramkale village, located in the Ayvacık district of the northwestern province of Çanakkale, a 2,000-year-old whistle has been unearthed around the Ayazma Church. Made of terracotta, the whistle was a child’s toy in daily life, and they were put in children’s graves as a burial gift believe the archaeologists. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
October 20, 2022
Hittite-era finds come to light in Uşaklı
Archaeological excavations have been ongoing to find the remains of Hittite-era palaces and temples in Uşaklı Mound. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
October 21, 2022
According to Japanese archaeologists, an ancient clay tablet discovered at the Büklükale ruins in central Turkey suggests that a little-known rival ethnic group was closely involved in the establishment of the Hittite Empire more than 3,000 years ago. Source: Arkeonews
October 22, 2022
Archaeologists find ancient artifacts in southern Türkiye
Archaeologists unearthed late Roman-era chambers and clay offering vessels during excavations in the ancient city of Antiocheia in southern Türkiye. Source: Daily Sabah
October 23, 2022
Wall paintings in St. Nicholas Museum being touched up
Within the scope of a restoration and landscaping project implemented by the Culture and Tourism Ministry, the wall paintings that were previously unearthed in the St. Nicholas Museum in the southern province of Antalya’s Demre district are getting a retouch. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
October 24, 2022
Roman-era chambers and clay offering vessels found in Antiocheia Ancient City, in southern Turkey
During excavations in southern Turkey’s ancient city of Antiocheia, archaeologists discovered late Roman-era chambers and clay offering vessels. Source: Arkeonews
'Aphrodisias-Ara Güler': Aphrodisias through lens of Ara Güler
The first exhibition of Ara Güler museum in the capital Ankara opens its doors with fascinating photographs of the prominent artist under the project called “Aphrodisias-Ara Güler.” Source: Daily Sabah
October 25, 2022
Digging Into The Hidden Chambers of Oldest Christian Church In The World
Archaeologists in Turkey have excavated the “world’s first church.” Within late Roman-era chambers they discovered smashed clay offering vessels which once held holy water. Source: Ancient Origins
October 26, 2022
Paleolithic workshop unearthed in cave
A workshop section has been unearthed during the excavations in the İnkaya Cave, providing information on human migrations in the Paleolithic period in the northwestern province of Çanakkale. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
October 27, 2022
A recent discovery at Göbeklitepe, the oldest known Mesolithic temple complex, has revealed grinding stones, new finds expected to shed light on human history. Source: Arkeonews
October 28, 2022
Ephesos: More than 1,400-year-old area of the city discovered under a burnt layer
During this year's excavations in Ephesos, Turkey, archaeologists from the Austrian Academy of Sciences discovered an excellently preserved early Byzantine business and gastronomy district. As it seems, the area was suddenly destroyed in 614/615 AD. All the household goods in the rooms were sealed by a thick burnt layer and thus preserved for posterity, making it possible to get unique snapshots of ancient life today. This makes the find comparable to the archaeological site of Pompeii ‒ although it is to be dated differently. Source: Austrian Archaeological Institute
October 29, 2022
Sensational find in Ephesus: more than 1,400-year-old district discovered
During this year’s excavations at Ephesus in Turkey, archaeologists from the Austrian Academy of Sciences (AW) discovered an incredibly well-preserved early Byzantine business and dining space that had apparently been destroyed suddenly in AD 614/615. Source: Arkeonews
