June 2026 brought a remarkable series of discoveries that expanded our understanding of Anatolia's deep past. Among the most significant was the identification of a prehistoric painted cave in Malatya's Tohma Canyon, containing nearly 100 human and animal figures as well as geometric symbols, a find that could become one of the most important examples of prehistoric rock art in Türkiye. Equally significant was the announcement from Çemka Höyük in southeastern Türkiye, where 12,000-year-old clay container fragments suggest that pottery technology emerged through much earlier experimentation than previously believed. Archaeologists also uncovered four 8,000-year-old headless female figurines at Kanlıtaş Höyük, offering new insights into Neolithic ritual practices, while research around Mount Nemrut in Bitlis revealed evidence of Palaeolithic occupation, including caves, obsidian workshops and raw material sources. Another striking discovery came from Lifos Mountain near Kayseri, where snowmelt exposed a previously unknown ancient walled sanctuary and settlement complex at an altitude of 2,500 meters.

The month also yielded essential discoveries from later periods. Excavations at Aspendos uncovered a rare third-century CE mosaic depicting the river god Eurymedon, while work at Hadrianopolis in Karabük revealed a 1,750-year-old pithos tomb, the first known example of its type in the inland western Black Sea region. At Blaundos, archaeologists identified a restricted sacred area within a 1,900-year-old temple, shedding new light on local religious practices. Researchers at Termessos documented inscriptions relating to the city's independence and ancient divination rituals, and scholars working at Side advanced the decipherment of the long-lost Sidetic language by identifying 31 letters of its alphabet. Finally, excavations beneath Niksar Castle brought to light an 1,800-year-old Roman arsenal, while a 4,000-year-old cuneiform tablet from Kültepe, preserved inside its original clay envelope, was successfully read without breaking the seal, demonstrating how modern technology continues to reveal new information from some of Anatolia's oldest written records.

Turkish Archaeological News collects the most important, interesting and inspiring news from Turkish excavation sites. Here's the review for June 2026. Have we missed anything? Please let us know by using Contact tab!

The question of whether Cleopatra's sister, Arsinoë IV, was buried in Ephesus has long fascinated historians and archaeologists alike. The story begins in 1904, when archaeologists uncovered an enigmatic monument known as the Octagon. At first, it was thought to be a trophy monument commemorating some forgotten victory. But in 1929, further excavations revealed something unexpected: a burial chamber built atop its base. Inside lay a sarcophagus containing the skeleton of a young individual, in their teens at the time of death. Tragically, the skull — so crucial for identification — was later lost during the Second World War.