September was a very busy month: the sarcophagus of Hercules was returned to Turkey, Konuralp theatre was excavated, and the restoration work continued in the Hellenistic tower in Perge. Moreover, the archaeologists discovered a church from the 11th century in Adramyttion, a 1,700-year-old villa in Arykanda and 2,000-year-old toys in Parion.
Turkish Archaeological News collects the most important, interesting and inspiring news from Turkish excavation sites. Here's the review for September 2017. Have we missed anything? Let us know by using Contact tab!
September 1, 2017
International interest in Anatolian fossils discovered in Kırşehir’s Kurutlu village
Academics from Germany, United States, Spain and Switzerland have shown great interest in fossils, dating back seven to eight million years ago, of vertebrate animals such as elephants, giraffes, rhinoceroses and cats. The fossils had been discovered in the ongoing archaeological excavations in the Kurutlu village of the central Anatolian province of Kırşehir’s Kaman district. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
September 2, 2017
Stone pit found in ancient city of Tabea
An approximately 2,000 year-old stone pit has been discovered in the ancient city of Tabea in the western city of Denizli’s Kale district. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Using Evliya Çelebi's travelogue, excavation team discovers 1,000-year-old Turkish neighborhood
Excavation teams, using information from famed Ottoman explorer Evliya Çelebi's travel guide, are continuing work along one of Anatolia's longest underground water passageways in northeastern Turkey, unearthing the lost history of a millennium old Turkish neighborhood in the process. Source: Daily Sabah
September 4, 2017
Daily life examined in Byzantine religious center in Turkey's Giresun
Ancient life and traditions on the Giresun Island are being examined in archaeological excavations carried out in a monastery complex on the Black Sea island, reputed as a significant religious center in the Byzantine era. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
September 6, 2017
‘Kilia Idol’ will not be returned to Turkey
The Kilia Idol, a 23-centimeter statuette that has been smuggled from Turkey, was sold at an auction in New York. According to a court order, the idol will not be returned to Turkey since the ministry was too late in taking action. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Zeugma excavations to last a century
This year’s archaeological excavations in the ancient city of Zeugma, which lies on the coast of the Euphrates River and is famous for the Gypsy Girl Mosaic, has unearthed bronze pieces from the clothing of legion units, silver and iron materials, rings, fibulas, ceramics, ivory and bone needles and frescoes, with experts saying excavations in the ancient site may last a century. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Lycian-era mausoleum destroyed in Turkey’s Antalya
A 2,500-year-old mausoleum in the southern province of Antalya has become the victim of vandalism. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
September 7, 2017
Ancient 'gate to underworld' complex will open for tourists
Still under excavation, Pluto's Gate in the ancient city of Hierapolis in Denizli province is planned to open after the necessary protective structure is built, as the toxic gases that made the area historically and archaeologically important are still active. Source: Daily Sabah
4000-year-old clay tablets discovered in central Turkey
Clay tablets dating back 4,000 years show the beginning of writing and literacy in ancient Anatolia, in the middle of modern-day Turkey, according to researchers. Source: Daily Sabah
Hora Lighthouse, centuries old illuminator of the Sea of Marmara
Built by French engineers in 1861 by the order of Sultan Abdulmecid I, the Hora Lighthouse continues to enlighten the routes of the ships floating on the Sea of Marmara. Source: Daily Sabah
September 8, 2017
Roman theater in Bursa to regain identity
A 2,000-year-old ancient Roman theater in the northwestern province of Bursa’s İznik district is regaining its unique identity during excavation and reorganization works. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
September 10, 2017
Hercules sarcophagus returning home to Turkey on Sept 13
There are just days for the Roman sarcophagus of Hercules to return to its home in Turkey. The precious Roman-era sarcophagus will return to its home in the Mediterranean province of Antalya on Sept. 13, some 50 years after it was smuggled abroad. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
September 11, 2017
Discussion on Kilia idol continues
Lawyers who represented Turkey in the Kilia idol case in the New York District Court will make a presentation on Sept. 25 about the return of the idol, which has been smuggled from Kulaksızlar in the western province of Manisa’s Akhisar district and found a buyer for $14.5 million in a recent auction, to Turkey. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
September 12, 2017
Ancient theater puppet on display in Turkey’s Gaziantep
A unique earthenware puppet baby dating from around 1,500 years B.C. is on exhibition in the Medusa Glass Artifacts Museum in the eastern province of Gaziantep. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Millenium-old Turkish neighborhood in Erzincan unearthed
Guided by Evliya Çelebi’s “Seyahatname” (Travel Book), an excavation team in the eastern province of Erzincan’s Kemah district has succeeded to unearth the longest water tunnels and a millennium-old Turkish neighborhood. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Ancient Hellenistic towers in Antalya being restored
Conservation, restoration and integration works have been initiated for the Hellenistic towers in the ancient city of Perge in the southern province of Antalya. The work has been carried out by the Antalya Directorate of Surveying and Monuments. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Five-century-old social complex in Turkey's Bursa to be rejuvenated
A five-century-old social complex (kulliyah) built upon the request of Grand Vizier Sinan Pasha, the conqueror of Yemen, is sure to enliven the social and cultural life of the Yenişehir district of Bursa province after restoration. Source: Daily Sabah
September 13, 2017
Ancient baby bottle found in Çanakkale
Excavations in one of the most important coastal towns of the Hellenistic era, the ancient city of Parion in the northwestern Turkish province of Çanakkale’s Biga district, have unearthed a 2,000-year-old feeding bottle. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Travel back in time with UNESCO's Year of Troy
Subject of "The Iliad" by Homer, who is accepted as the first poet of Western culture, the Legend of Troy will be revived as Turkey announced 2018 will be "The Year of Troy," in reference to the 20th year anniversary of the ancient city of Troy's recognition by UNESCO in its World Heritage List. Source: Daily Sabah
Earthquakes May Have Had Great Cultural Significance in Ancient Greek World
The Ancient Greeks may have built their sacred sites deliberately on land previously affected by earthquake activity, according to University of Plymouth Professor Iain Stewart. Source: Sci-News
September 14, 2017
11th century church ruins found in Balıkesir
Ruins of a church dating back 800 years have been unearthed at the ancient city of Adramytteion in the northwestern Turkish province of Balıkesir’s Burhaniye district. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Excavations resume in Lagina, center of Paganism
After a six-year hiatus, excavation at the 3,000-year-old Lagina Sanctuary located in Muğla province's Yatağan district will continue. Source: Daily Sabah
Roman sarcophagus of Hercules returns home to Turkey
The Roman sarcophagus of Hercules, which was smuggled abroad some 50 years ago, has finally been returned to Turkey from Switzerland. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Two-story building discovered at Saint Nicholas memorial excavations in Turkey’s Antalya
Archaeologists have unearthed a multi-level building after two years of excavation work around the Saint Nicholas Memorial Museum, Turkey's southern Antalya province. Source: Daily Sabah
September 16, 2017
Ruins of 1,700-year-old villa discovered in Antalya
Villa ruins that are almost 2,000 years old were uncovered during excavations in the ancient city of Arykanda, located in the Finike district of Antalya, where significant remains reveal the importance of the region. Source: Daily Sabah
Skeletons found in ancient tomb
The skeletons of a total of 24 people, including one child, have been unearthed from a chamber tomb opened during this year’s excavations in the ancient city of Parion in the northwestern province of Çanakkale. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
September 17, 2017
Searching for traces of ancient Temple of Athena in Turkey’s Manisa
In the Yuntdağı region of the western province of Manisa’s Yunusemre district, excavation works have commenced in order to unearth the Temple of Athena in the ancient city of Aigai. Source: Daily Sabah
September 20, 2017
2,350-year-old goods unearthed in Patara reveal ancient way of life
Excavations conducted in the ancient city of Patara in Antalya province have revealed more than 200 objects, including a bronze mirror frame, forks, bowls and coins, giving hints about the daily practices of the civilization that lived in the ancient city. Source: Daily Sabah
September 21, 2017
Urartian necropolis reveals burial customs
Excavations in a Urartian necropolis in the eastern province of Van’s Çavuştepe Castle, which has been plundered by treasure hunters in recent years, provide important details about Urartian burial customs. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
September 22, 2017
Nymphaeum undergoing restoration in Antalya’s Side
Restoration and conversation is set to start again at the Monumental Fountain (Nymphaeum) in the ancient city of Side in the southern province of Antalya’s Manavgat district. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Ancient wreckages discovered on southern coasts in Mersin
Underwater research on the coast of the southern province of Mersin have discovered 18 shipwrecks on a coastline of 100 kilometers. The wreckages date back between 1,000 and 2,700 years. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
September 23, 2017
Historic Syriac monastery needs attention
A 1,300-year-old historic rock monastery near the Barıştepe village in the southeastern province of Mardin’s Midyat district is waiting to be discovered. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
September 24, 2017
Roman sarcophagus of Hercules welcomes visitors at Antalya museum
The Roman sarcophagus of Hercules, which recently returned to Turkey from Switzerland after it had been smuggled abroad some 50 years ago, has begun welcoming visitors at its home in the Mediterranean resort of Antalya. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
September 25, 2017
Ancient harbor of Ephesus in Turkey's Izmir to be revived with new project
A new project aiming to revive the ancient harbor of 10th century B.C. city Ephesus will soon be launched after bidding process is completed, reports said Monday. Source: Daily Sabah
September 26, 2017
11,500-year-old settlement unearthed in Hasankeyf
A settlement from 11,500 years ago has been unearthed in the Hasankeyf Mound on the Tigris River’s coastline in the fifth stage of archaeology works at the ancient town of Hasankeyf in the southeastern province of Batman, which has been initiated with the Ilısu Dam HES project protection and rescue works of the cultural heritage. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Archaeologists home in on Homeric clues as Turkey declares year of Troy
Work is accelerating at site on Hisarlık Hill, formerly a ‘ruin of a ruin’, and a museum will open next year. Source: The Guardian
September 27, 2017
Ahmad Khani City Museum new attraction center in eastern Turkey
Shedding light on the life and works of philosopher, historian and Islamic Sufi Ahmad Khani, the Old Doğubayazıt House and the Ahmad Khani City Museum opened to visitors last month and have already hosted 5,000 visitors, attracting a great deal of attention in the first month since opening. Source: Daily Sabah
Tepebağ Mound to turn into archaeological park
The Tepebağ Mound located in Turkey's southern Adana province and mentioned in ancient Hittite and Egyptian texts as being situated in the capital of Kuzzuwatna in the Cilicia region's capital of Adaniya under the Hittites, has undergone excavations since 2013 when the Museum of Adana began conducting archaeological digging. Source: Daily Sabah
Beylerbeyi Palace to serve as boutique hotel in Kars
The four-and-a-half century-old Beylerbeyi Palace in the eastern province of Kars is being restored to open as a boutique hotel in 2018, Kars Governor Rahmi Doğan said. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
1,200-year-old church discovered in Turkey's Balıkesir
Archaeologists have discovered a second church dating back 1,200 years in the ancient city of Adramyttium in Turkey's northwestern Balıkesir province, reports said Wednesday. Source: Daily Sabah
September 28, 2017
‘Ephesus of the Black Sea' to be excavated
Known as the ‘Ephesus of the Black Sea region,' Prusias ad Hypium, the only ancient city left standing in the Bithynia region, is being unearthed by archaeologists. Source: Daily Sabah
2,000-year-old toys discovered inside children's tombs in Turkey's Çanakkale
2,000-year-old ancient toys from the Hellenistic Period have been discovered inside tombs belonging to children in the ancient seaport city of Parion located in northwestern Turkey's Çanakkale province. Source: Daily Sabah
September 29, 2017
Discovery of ancient tombs halts apartment construction in western Turkey
The reconstruction project of an apartment building in Aydın's Efeler district was halted after the discovery of ancient burial chambers during excavations for the building's foundation, leaving homeowners seeking an immediate solution regarding the ancient site, reports said Thursday. Source: Daily Sabah
