Possibly the most thrilling archaeological news from the area of Turkey in April 2022 was the discovery of a Hellenistic cremation tomb in Istanbul’s Haydarpaşa excavations. Moreover, the remains of an 8500-year-old wooden ladder were found in Çatalhöyük, one of the best-preserved Neolithic settlements in the world. Finally, the excavations revealed a huge underground city in southeastern Mardin province’s Midyat district.
Turkish Archaeological News collects the most important, interesting and inspiring news from Turkish excavation sites. Here's the review for April. Have we missed anything? Let us know by using Contact tab!
April 4, 2022
Ancient inscriptions found in Datça
Four inscriptions made of marble and limestone from the Umayyad period have been unearthed during the archaeological excavations in the ancient city of Knidos in the western province of Muğla’s Datça district. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
April 6, 2022
‘Artemis’ on display after half a century
The statue of Artemis, one of the Greek mythology goddesses, which was found in 1963 in the ancient city of Thermai Thesos in the western province of Manisa’s Kula district and kept in storage, has been put on display for the first time at the İzmir Archeology Museum after half a century. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
April 7, 2022
Museum to host works of founder of Turkish painting
A special section for the works of Osman Hamdi Bey, a prominent cultural figure of the early Turkish Westernization who is also considered the founder of Turkish painting and archaeology, has been opened in the Istanbul Painting and Sculpture Museum. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
New Museum of Islamic Civilisations set to open Friday in Turkiye's largest mosque
A brand new Museum of Islamic Civilisations is set to be inaugurated on Friday in Turkiye's largest mosque by Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the nation's President, and Anadolu News Agency reports. Source: Middle East Monitor
April 11, 2022
Hellenistic cremation tomb found in Istanbul’s Haydarpasa excavations
A brick tomb belonging to the Hellenistic period (330 BC – 30 BC) was found during the Haydarpaşa excavations, which shed light on Kadıköy’s history for four years. Source: Arkeonews
April 12, 2022
An 8500-year-old wooden ladder remain was discovered at Çatalhöyük
Remains of the wooden ladder were discovered for the first time in Çatalhöyük, one of the best-preserved Neolithic settlements in the world. Source: Arkeonews
April 13, 2022
1,800-year-old military watchtower found on banks of Euphrates
A military watchtower dating back 1,800 years ago was discovered in the Gerger district of southeastern Adıyaman province on the banks of the Euphrates. The historical structure was identified after a local shepherd intrigued by the oddity of the structure informed the authorities. Source: Daily Sabah
April 14, 2022
Discovery of artifacts, ancient roads in Aigai drawing visitors
The discovery of thousands of artifacts and ancient roads during the excavations in the ancient city of Aigai, one of the 12 Aeolian cities in the western province of Manisa, the history of which dates back to the eighth century B.C., is drawing the attention of visitors. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
April 15, 2022
Ancient bath discovered under Istanbul’s former red light district
Istanbul’s underground is known for housing a wealth of heritage from ancient civilizations and restoration, reconstruction and restoration work in historic places reveal more of it. Most recently, workers discovered a Turkish bath dating to the 17th century as they were clearing the area that formerly hosted a red-light district. Source: Daily Sabah
Mighty silhouette of Selimiye to be unveiled after restoration
The silhouette of the mighty Selimiye Mosque has been fully revealed with the Selimiye Square Project. Edirne Culture and Tourism Director Kemal Soytürk told Anadolu Agency (AA) that the first and second phases of the Selimiye Square Project have come to an end. Source: Daily Sabah
April 17, 2022
Artifacts found in Turkey's Kültepe site to be exhibited in museums
Some 350 artifacts unearthed from Kültepe archaeological site and kept in warehouses are being prepared to be exhibited in museums within the scope of the "Common Cultural Heritage: Preservation and Dialogue (Phase-II) Grant Scheme" between Turkey and the European Union (EU), the head of the excavation team announced Friday. Source: Daily Sabah
April 18, 2022
Horse, griffon busts from ancient Phocaea to go on display in Izmir
Two horses and two griffon busts found among the 2,600-year-old ruins of the Temple of Athena in the ancient city of Phocaea will go on display at the Izmir Archaeology Museum after their restoration works are completed. Source: Daily Sabah
April 19, 2022
Roman-era theater comes to life
Around 70 percent of restoration works in the 2,000-year-old ancient Roman theater ongoing since 2020 as part of the Archaeopark Project in Ankara have concluded. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Excavations reveal huge underground city in Turkey’s Mardin
A large number of artifacts belonging to the second and third centuries A.D. were unearthed in an underground city featuring places of worship, silos, water wells and passages with corridors in southeastern Mardin province’s Midyat district. Source: Daily Sabah
April 21, 2022
Motifs found on walls of Sinop Castle
Ancient motifs like bullheads considered the symbol of power in ancient times, have been found on the walls of Sinop Castle. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
‘Imperial Gate’ in Hagia Sophia Mosque vandalized
Istanbul Provincial Directorate of Foundations has started an investigation to find out the unidentified assailant or assailants who have vandalized the 1,400-year-old Imperial Gate inside the Hagia Sophia Mosque in the metropolitan city. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Osman Hamdi Bey’s museum house to be restored
The house of Ottoman archaeologist and painter Osman Hamdi Bey, which serves as a museum on the coast of Eskihisar in the Gebze district in the northwestern province of Kocaeli, will be taken under restoration. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
April 23, 2022
Patara’s dolphin unearthed 10 years after its burial
A dolphin-figured stone, which was discovered during archaeological excavations conducted 10 years ago and was buried for its protection, has been placed in the Patara Lighthouse. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
April 24, 2022
Unprecedented 1800-year-old marble bathtub recovered in Turkey
The 1800-year-old marble bathtub, which was seized when it was about to be sold by historical artifact smugglers in Aydın’s Karacasu district, was delivered to the Aphrodisias Museum Directorate. Source: Arkeonews
Documentary made on Arslantepe Mound
British historian, writer and publisher Bettany Mary Hughes has made a documentary film on Arslantepe Mound, which is on the UNESCO Cultural Heritage List in the eastern province of Malatya. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Sewer system found in ancient city of Mastaura
Archaeologists have found a sewer system believed to be 1,800 years old during excavations in the ancient city of Mastaura in the western province of Aydın’s Nazilli district. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
April 26, 2022
Excavations resume in Kastabala
Excavation and rescue works have been resumed in the theater area in the ancient city of Kastabala, which dates back to 2,000 years in the southern province of Osmaniye and is called the Ephesus of Çukurova. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
April 27, 2022
Ancient baby burial draws interest at museum
The 5,000-year-old jar burials of four people, including a baby, that were found 15 years ago in the northern province of Amasya are kept in a special showcase at the Amasya Museum. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
April 29, 2022
Turkey’s Sümela monastery set to reopen after rock risk
After a lengthy restoration work and imminent danger to its immediate environs, the historic Sümela monastery in northern Turkey will finally be opened fully on Sunday. Source: Daily Sabah
