The year 2025 proved to be a particularly vibrant and rewarding chapter for archaeology in Turkey, as excavations across the country brought an extraordinary range of discoveries into the light. From prehistoric ritual landscapes to long-forgotten cities, newly uncovered artefacts and structures not only captured public imagination but also reshaped scholarly debates about Anatolia's deep past.
For the Turkish Archaeological News team, 2025 proved to be an exceptionally active and rewarding year, marked by the publication of four new guidebooks, two field expeditions to Turkey, and a wealth of newly authored articles for the TAN portal. An overview of these milestones and activities is presented below.
What follows is a curated overview of the most significant archaeological breakthroughs announced during this remarkable year, accompanied by highlights of the new research and publications featured on the Turkish Archaeological News portal, which has closely followed and documented these developments as they unfolded.
The top archaeological discoveries from 2025
- Karahantepe — First T-shaped pillar with a carved human face and earliest 3D narrative
- New broader Neolithic finds in the Taş Tepeler (Stone Hills) region
- New human statue at Göbeklitepe
- Sayburç — Continued revelations on Neolithic ritual imagery
- Assos & Roman mosaics — Public and funerary art resurface
- Iznik underground burial fresco
- Laodicea administrative building
- İremir Mound — Early Bronze Age agricultural remains
At İremir Mound in Van province, archaeologists uncovered 5,000-year-old carbonized barley grains, ovens, and agricultural paraphernalia, documenting early farming and food production practices in the broader Near Eastern Bronze Age world.
- Colossae rock-cut tomb complex
- Ongoing mosaic and sculpture discoveries in Anatolian cities
At Karahantepe in southeastern Anatolia, archaeologists uncovered a 1.3-meter T-shaped pillar bearing a human face — the first of its kind among Neolithic monumental stones — and a set of miniature figurines artfully arranged in stone rings, interpreted as possibly the oldest known three-dimensional narrative in the world. These finds were ranked among the top 10 archaeological discoveries of 2025 by Archaeology Magazine, underscoring their significance for understanding symbolic expression in the Pre-Pottery Neolithic.
Turkey's Taş Tepeler project, which includes Karahantepe, Göbeklitepe, Sayburç, and Sefertepe, revealed additional prehistoric artifacts and features this year that shed new light on how human groups transitioned from mobile hunter-gatherers to settled agricultural life over 11,000 years ago. These discoveries deepen our view of ritual and daily life in one of humanity's earliest cultural hubs.
Excavations at the world-famous Göbeklitepe site, a UNESCO World Heritage location dating back around 12,000 years, yielded a human statue with clearly defined torso and head features between monumental enclosures. This fresh find adds a tangible dimension to interpretations of symbolic representation at what remains the oldest-known temple complex.
Work at Sayburç, another Taş Tepeler site near Göbeklitepe, continues to produce figurative sculptures and architectural contexts that offer distinctive insight into early ritual iconography and social practice in the Early Holocene. Combined with adjacent discoveries, these finds suggest a more nuanced — and varied - Neolithic symbolic landscape than previously known.
Excavations at Assos in Çanakkale province revealed a Hellenistic mosaic floor and a monumental tomb, both illuminating public building decoration and funerary practices from the Hellenistic into the Byzantine periods. These finds enhance our grasp of urban life and artistic expression in western Anatolia.
Archaeologists uncovered a rare fresco of Jesus as the "good shepherd" within a Roman-era underground burial chamber near Iznik, a site central to early Christianity. Such imagery is a pivotal link between late antique art and evolving religious expression in Anatolia's ecclesiastical contexts.
In Laodicea, excavators revealed a 2,000-year-old assembly or administrative building, providing key evidence for civic organization and urban governance in a prominent ancient metropolis that once linked Roman and local Anatolian life.
About 60 rock-cut tombs dating to roughly 2,200 years ago emerged at the ancient city of Colossae, representing an unusually dense burial complex and offering new material for understanding mortuary customs and community structure in Late Hellenistic Anatolia.
Across multiple sites like Herakleia, Syedra, Pergamon, and Metropolis, archaeologists announced richly preserved mosaics, sculptural fragments, and inscribed tiles that open fresh windows into decorative art, religious symbolism, and the cultural blending of Classical, Roman, and Late Antique periods.
Taken together, these discoveries span over 10,000 years of human activity, from Neolithic ritual and narrative art to urban complexity and religious visual culture in later ages. They're significant not just for filling chronological gaps but for revealing how ancient societies expressed identity, belief, social structure, and artistic innovation — a tapestry of human experience woven across Anatolia's rich archaeological record.
New books by Aslan Publishing House
In 2025, Aslan Publishing House released four guidebooks written by TAN author, Izabela Miszczak. The first one, "The Secrets of Bodrum and Ancient Caria", is devoted to the region of Turkey known as Caria in the past. Nowadays, its major magnet for tourists is a town called Bodrum, a major hub for holidaymakers. In the ancient times, as Halicarnassus, it was home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Mausoleum. However, today, Bodrum's reputation relies on its hotels, restaurants, clubs, and beaches. This book has been written for these inquisitive travellers who intend to look behind this modern façade and discover the rich history of Bodrum and the surrounding area.
The aim of the author was to create a guidebook that will take you on the journey of Caria, inviting you to visit the historical towns, archaeological sites, magnificent castles, and splendid museums of this region. Each chapter focuses on one location, offering not only practical tips for visitors, such as opening hours and ticket prices, but also an in-depth archaeological and historical background as well as detailed descriptions of the buildings and objects to be seen there. The information provided in this book is based on the experiences gathered during many visits to Caria made by the author, whose main intention is to share her love of the absorbing history of Asia Minor and its beautiful sights with wide audiences.
The second guidebook, "The Highlights of Iznik: Treasures of the ancient Nicaea", was released to commemorate the 1700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea. Located picturesquely on the eastern shore of Lake Iznik, the town bearing the same name might seem a backwater location with a laid-back ambience. However, the traces of mighty fortifications that greet the visitors to Iznik suggest that the town is much more than a sleepy settlement. Today's Iznik is, in fact, the ancient city called Nicaea, where the major events that shaped the future of Christianity took place. The town was once the summer residence of the Roman Emperor Constantine I the Great liked to spend the hot season because of the pleasant, mild climate.
The visitors who come to Iznik have a unique opportunity to see the monuments from all the periods of the town's rich history: magnificent city walls, ancient Roman theatre, and many churches and mosques, including the former Hagia Sophia Church, now serving as Ayasofya Mosque, where the Second Council of Nicaea was held in 787. The long and complicated history of the town and its surroundings is beautifully explained in two local museums — the first one is focussed on Iznik's prehistory and the history to the times of the Ottomans, and the second one — on its Islamic heritage.
The guidebook "The Highlights of Iznik. Treasures of the ancient Nicaea" starts by introducing the short history of Iznik, and then takes the readers on the journey throughout its most significant landmarks, historical buildings, and museums. The final chapter invites the visitors to step outside the mighty fortifications and discover three historical gems hidden in the countryside: an obelisk, an aqueduct, and a Byzantine bridge. The chapters about the sights of Iznik are equipped with geographical coordinates and QR codes that facilitate the sightseeing. The visit to the town will be much easier with the provided plan of the town and numerous colourful photographs offer the readers a glimpse of what's awaiting them in Iznik.
The third guidebook was "The Secrets of Hattusa". This guidebook takes the readers on the tour of the Hittite capital city. Among the ancient civilizations of Europe and the Middle East, such as the Egyptians, the Mycenaeans, and the Assyrians, it is the Hittites that seem to hold to their reputation of the mysterious people with a largely unknown history. During the period of their greatest might, in the second half of the 2nd millennium BCE, they were perceived as equals by the Egyptian and the Mesopotamian superpowers.
We begin the adventure with the brief introduction of the Hittite civilization, its main achievements, religion, and the form of government. Throughout the guidebook, you will find numerous photographs of the discussed locations and artefacts. Their goal is to serve as visual clues for visitors who want to understand clearly what they can see in Hattusa, Yazılıkaya, and Alacahöyük. There are also photos from other locations, such as the museums in Ankara, Berlin, and Istanbul, where many finds from these sites are on display. Last but not least, a detailed plan of the Hattusa archaeological site is included in the book, with the points of interest clearly marked. If, after reading this guidebook and the visit to Hattusa you decide to learn more about the Hittites, the final section contains an extensive bibliography on the subject.
The fourth guidebook published in 2025 was "Byzantine Secrets of Athens". It is focussed specifically on the city's Byzantine period of history – that stretched from the late antiquity to the Ottoman times, roughly from the 5th to the 15th century. However, the topics discussed on the pages of this book are not limited to the Byzantine buildings. These magnificent structures offer us the opportunity to look at Athens from a less usual angle.
The guidebook is divided into six main parts, organised geographically. They take the travellers on six walking and hiking adventures around Athens. Each walk will offer you a chance to admire the most impressive Byzantine churches of the city. During these strolls, you will understand their deeper historical and architectural context. Naturally, these monuments are the work of thousands of people – master builders, sculptors, painters, and masons – and they have served the needs of the Athenian population over the centuries. Thus, the book also tells the stories of some of these individuals, such as priests, monks, scholars, and artists. The guidebook is richly illustrated with photos of the described buildings and exhibits. There are also plans showing the location of the sights visited during each of the six suggested tours of Athens.
Our texts for Turkish Archaeological News portal
The Turkish Archaeological News team published many new texts in 2024. Our publications included a series of articles devoted to the monuments of modern-day Istanbul, formerly known as Constantinople, the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire. They included the texts about Chora Church/Kariye Mosque and its mosaics and frescoes, Zeyrek Cistern, and the fortifications of Constantinople, such as Blachernae Walls and Theodosian Land Walls of Constantinople.
Concerning the Theodosian Walls, there were discussed in detail in several publications about Gate of the Spring (Silivrikapı), First Military Gate, Second Military Gate, Golden Gate, Belgrade/Xylokerkos Gate
Ottoman-era monuments of Istanbul were also described, such as Mihrimah Sultan Mosque in Karagümrük, Yedikule Fortress, and Ayakapı Bathhouse.
The former capital of the Ottoman Empire, Edirne, was also discussed on our protal, particularly its Hasan Sezai Shrine and Bahá'í House and traditional Edirne houses.
Our correspondent from Didim, Jay Jean Jackson, prepared several excellent publications for our portal, too, including the ones about the Miletus cave and the Asclepius cult, Stratonikeia - a walk through a time tunnel of ancient civilisations, the games people played in ancient times, a night at the Temple of Apollo in Didim, Aristides – Milesian Tales of Romance and Eroticism, and Meander - a word, a maze, a river, and a puzzle.
We did not forget about other archaeological and historical sites located in Turkey, such as Notion, the agora of ancient Smyrna, Erythrae, Alacahöyük, Göreme Open Air Museum, Nysa on the Maeander, Çatalhöyük, and Binbirkilise.
Exploration of Turkey's historical and archaeological sites by our team in 2025
The Turkish Archaeological News team visited Turkey twice in 2025.
Aegean tour
From 8 to 15 July, our days unfolded along the Aegean coast of western Anatolia, with the Dogan Paradise Beach Hotel in Özdere as a steady, sunlit base. The hotel sat between the sea and low hills, close enough to antiquity for day trips, but far enough to allow real rest.
We arrived late on 8 July, settling in quietly and immediately discovering that the grounds belonged as much to wildlife as to guests. Hedgehogs appeared after dark, moving confidently between paths and bushes, as if welcoming us into their nightly routines.
The following day was devoted to stillness rather than ruins. The Aegean Sea was calm and clear, ideal for long swims, while the hotel's cuisine provided a pleasant rhythm to the day. Cats, ubiquitous and self-assured, completed the picture, forming temporary alliances with anyone willing to offer shade or attention.
On 10 July, curiosity overcame relaxation, and we rented a car to explore. Ephesus was the obvious first destination, and predictably crowded. Walking its marble streets still carried weight: the Library of Celsus, the Great Theatre, and the urban layout of one of the best-preserved Roman cities in the Mediterranean remain impressive despite the crowds. Inside the archaeological zone, the new Ephesus Experience Museum promised immersion through digital displays, but proved underwhelming: noisy, superficial, and oddly disconnected from the depth of the site just outside its doors.
The next day felt like a corrective. We set out early for Notion, an ancient Ionian city dramatically placed on two steep hills overlooking the Aegean. Access was difficult, paths rough and signage minimal, but the reward was silence, wind, and ongoing archaeological excavations. The city's position explained its importance as a harbour settlement and later as a fortified stronghold. Nearby, hidden among orange groves, lay Claros, one of antiquity's major oracular sanctuaries, second only to Delphi in fame. Though largely ruined, the oracle of Apollo at Claros still conveys its former significance through scale and setting.
On 12 July, we followed the coastline north-west to Teos, birthplace of the poet Anacreon and home to the Temple of Dionysus, one of the largest dedicated to that god in the ancient world. The drive itself was sobering: recent wildfires had left stretches of forest reduced to blackened earth, a stark reminder of how fragile this landscape remains. Teos, spacious and less frequented, allowed room to reflect on both ancient grandeur and modern loss.
Selçuk filled 13 July with layers of history compressed into a small town. The Ephesus Museum contextualized the ruins we had already seen, displaying statues of Artemis and domestic artefacts from daily life. Above the town rose the Basilica of St. John, built by Emperor Justinian in the 6th century over what was believed to be the apostle's tomb, while the Selçuk Fortress crowned Ayasuluk Hill, offering views across the valley toward the Artemision and Ephesus.
On 14 July, antiquity gave way to the present. Izmir, modern, busy, and unmistakably urban, was mostly about shopping and wandering, a reminder that this region has never stopped being lived in.
The final day returned us to rest. Time slowed again: sea, heat, packing, and the quiet logistics of departure. Late that night, we left for the airport, carrying with us not just famous sites, but a more intimate sense of the Aegean coast, where relaxation and deep time coexist with surprising ease.
Istanbul adventure
In July 2025, Istanbul unfolded not as a checklist of monuments to see, but as a long, layered walk through time. The journey began on 20 July with a flight from Warsaw, Istanbul revealing itself from above in that familiar, impossible sprawl where water, hills, and minarets tangle together. After settling into the Dersaadet Hotel, the city immediately pulled us outside. A short evening walk led to Küçük Ayasofya, the former Church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus, quietly luminous and slightly apart from the crowds. Dinner in the garden of Aya Café ended the first day gently, with the sense that the real movement had only just started.
The next morning, Hagia Sophia set the tone. Access for non-Turkish visitors was limited to the upper galleries, which changed the experience entirely: history observed from above, mosaics half-seen, space felt rather than occupied. From there we drifted through Sultanahmet, pausing at the Stone of Million, watching excavations beside it, and standing beneath the German Fountain on the old Hippodrome. The modern, immersive exhibition at the Hagia Sophia History and Experience Museum contrasted sharply with the nearby Martyrion of St. Euphemia and the Palace of Antiochos, fragments still whispering of Late Antiquity. The Column of Constantine anchored the walk, after which the bazaar district absorbed us in noise and motion. Lunch in TurguT Restaurant Sirkeci, a glance at Hagia Irene from the outside, and the day quietly closed.
On 22 July, the focus shifted to archaeology and movement. The Istanbul Archaeological Museum's new exhibition spaces were only partly open, but the presentation of Troy alone justified the visit. From Sirkeci, we boarded a train following the historic Orient Express route toward Kazlıçeşme, the railway flanked by a new hiking and cycling path. Yedikule Fortress, newly renovated, stood solid and orderly, its violence safely in the past. Marmaray train carried us beneath the Bosphorus to Üsküdar, a reminder that this city casually pierces continents. Haydarpaşa Station remained closed, tantalizing behind fences, while lunch at Midyeci İsmail felt pleasingly ordinary. A ferry ride back traced the skyline: Haydarpaşa, the Maiden's Tower, Galata Tower rising above the waters. Evening returned us to the Hippodrome and the Blue Mosque, quieter now, almost contemplative.
The city grew more infrastructural on 23 July. Walking to Sirkeci Marmaray Station, we stopped at the Dört Dönem Katmanlı Yapı, a single house carrying four historical layers, and at the small Hacı Beşir Ağa Mosque. Marmaray train took us west to Küçükçekmece and Sinan's Bridge, then back east to Zeytinburnu and the Fişekhane complex, where a 19th-century chimney still marked the former ammunition factory. The massive Hebdomon Cistern emerged unexpectedly near modern malls and transit lines. By metro, we returned to Aksaray, walking Ordu Caddesi past the Forum of Theodosius and noticing Aya Kiryaki Greek Orthodox Church almost by accident. Dinner repeated itself deliberately at TurguT in Sirkeci.
24 July opened before dawn. Jarek set out alone through an almost empty city: the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome, the Column of Constantine, the Grand Bazaar before its daily awakening, Süleymaniye Mosque, and Sinan's grave. Later, together again, we returned to the Archaeological Museum and walked through Gülhane Park to the Sarayburnu Arkeopark. A Bosphorus cruise stitched the city together from the water: Dolmabahçe in its various forms, Çırağan, the great bridge spanning Europe and Asia, then the quieter Asian shore with Beylerbeyi and the Shemsi Ahmet Pasha Mosque, before the Maiden's Tower drifted back into view. The Egyptian Bazaar scented the return, and the afternoon ended walking the Sea Walls from the ruins of the Bukoleon Palace toward Sarayburnu, where a modern trail now follows ancient defences.
On 25 July, backpacks marked a small transition. We walked Ordu Caddesi to Aksaray, moving into the Meretto Hotel and unexpectedly receiving early access to a top-floor suite. The day unfolded slowly along the same street: Laleli Mosque, the tomb of Sultan Mustafa III, the archaeology museum of Istanbul University, the Bayezid II Turkish Bath Museum, Bayezid Mosque. A conversation with a volunteer about a Polish translation of the Quran became one of those unplanned moments that linger. The Grand Bazaar absorbed time, and Nuruosmaniye Mosque closed the loop. Dinner came locally, grilled liver eaten without ceremony.
Balat and walls dominated 26 July. From outside the fenced ruins of the Church of St. Polyeuctus, we wandered through colourful streets before committing to a long walk along the Theodosian Land Walls of Constantinople. Two visitor centres allowed climbs onto the fortifications, offering views over parks, neighbourhoods, and active restoration work. Lunch in Fatih, grilled meats and salads rich with pomegranate sauce, felt earned.
The 27th deepened the Byzantine thread. Morning cats prowled near the Şehzade Mosque. Süleymaniye rose calm and monumental, Sinan resting nearby. Rüstem Pasha Mosque surprised with its luminous blue tiles. In Balat, we moved between identities: Gül Mosque, possibly St. Theodosia; the iron-built Church of St. Stephen; and Panagia Mouchliotissa, better-known as St. Mary of the Mongols, stubbornly Orthodox since the Middle Ages. Lunch was practical, fast, and excellent. The afternoon brought a meeting with David Hendrix of the Byzantine Legacy project, walking Fatih together through Fenari Isa Mosque, obscure cisterns hidden in basements, and Zeyrek Mosque with coffee and sweeping views. Zeyrek Cistern followed, and the Valens Aqueduct guided us home.
On 28 July, we crossed the Golden Horn over the Haliç Metro Bridge, the city spread below like a diagram. Sokullu Mehmet Pasha Mosque appeared almost modest, Galata Tower less so, its summit offering the familiar reward of height. Lunch repeated itself happily, followed by a pause in a shopping centre that felt oddly restful.
The final full day, 29 July, tied loose ends. Back in Zeytinburnu, the Mosaic Museum revealed another buried layer. Sultanahmet drew us once more into the Blue Mosque. The walk back passed the Forum of Theodosius and the Myrelaion Cistern. Lunch, errands, and then a final circuit of mosques: Bayezid with the tomb of Sultan Bayezid II, Nuruosmaniye this time from the inside, Mahmut Paşa among humble döner shops, and finally Pertevniyal Valide Sultan Mosque, rich and slightly overlooked.
On 30 July, the journey reversed itself. Istanbul receded into memory, not as a single city but as a palimpsest walked, crossed, tunnelled beneath, and sailed around. The sense remained that much was still unseen, waiting patiently, as it always does here.
Monthly summaries of the most important archaeological discoveries
Finally, let us look at the year 2025 in monthly summaries.
January 2025 brought to light several major archaeological discoveries, reported mainly for the western part of Turkey. Archaeologists excavating the ancient city of Assos in Çanakkale province uncovered a 2,200-year-old mosaic and a 1,800-year-old monumental tomb. Excavations at the ancient city of Alexandria Troas, located on the shores of the Aegean Sea, revealed a 2,200-year-old market structure from the Hellenistic period. Archaeologists also made an extraordinary discovery in the ancient city of Heracleia in Muğla province where the Roman-era bath floor revealed large mosaics with detailed depictions of crocodiles, eels, dolphins, and flamingos. Finally, in the historical city of Iznik in Bursa province, a farmer discovered an ancient stone lid and a column capital while ploughing his field.
In February 2025, the groundbreaking genetic research was announced, tracing the origins of domesticated sheep back to Türkiye's Aşıklı Höyük. Meanwhile, during restoration works conducted at the Harem section of Topkapı Palace, experts uncovered intriguing finds beneath the floor tiles of the Kizlar Agasi room. These included silver and gold coins, earrings, rings, and various jewellery pieces, as well as amulets, talismans, and letters. Finally, Hadrianopolis, an ancient city in Karabük's Eskipazar district, was designated as an archaeological site by the Culture and Tourism Ministry.
March 2025 saw the completion of the restoration work of the ancient theatre of Laodicea, founded by Seleucid King Antiochus II in honour of his wife Laodice in the 3rd century BCE. Also, the recently restored Side Museum was finally reopened, boasting a rich collection of 3,309 archaeological artifacts. Meanwhile, the archaeological excavations in the ancient city of Assos revealed a remarkable 2,200-year-old mosaic alongside an impressive 1,800-year-old monumental tomb. Finally, a surprising discovery occurred in the Ergani district of Diyarbakir, when an ancient mosaic layer was found during a grave excavation.
April 2025 brought several significant discoveries from the area of Türkiye, many of them related to ancient burial customs. For instance, ongoing excavations at Stratonikeia unearthed a remarkable 2,000-year-old sarcophagus adorned with intricate garland motifs. During the ongoing restoration of the 540-year-old Gulbahar Hatun Mosque in Tokat, historical tomb remnants were discovered. Moreover, a group of tourists exploring an ancient Roman aqueduct in Bursa's Iznik (Nicaea) stumbled upon an unexpected relic — a tombstone believed to date back to the Ottoman Empire. Finally, a Roman-era chamber tomb was uncovered near the Tralleis ancient city in Aydin's Efeler district during road renovation works initiated by the local municipality.
May 2025 brought some more excellent news from the area of Türkiye. First of all, the ancient bilingual inscriptions of Karatepe-Aslantaş Open-Air Museum in Osmaniye were officially inscribed into the UNESCO Memory of the World International Register. Secondly, in a groundbreaking discovery, an archaeological team unearthed significant evidence of early settled life at Çakmaktepe, located in the Şanlıurfa province. Finally, the Directorate of National Palaces in Türkiye completed restoration works on two historic rooms within the Harem section of Topkapı Palace.
June 2025 saw the reopening of several museums in the area of Türkiye, including the Trabzon Museum, also known as the Kostaki Mansion, and the Manisa Museum. One of the biggest archaeological discoveries announced in June was the find of a major archaeological structure in the ancient city of Gordion thought to belong to a member of the Phrygian royal family. Numerous archaeological sites welcomed visitors after sunset as part of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism's new "night museum" initiative, including famous Ephesus and Topkapı Palace. Finally, Ünye Castle, one of the most significant historical landmarks on the Black Sea is now open to visitors following recently completed restoration works.
July 2025 revealed some excellent news concerning the archaeological discoveries made in the area of Türkiye. Major inroads were made into the better understanding of the earliest history of the region, for instance the archaeological excavations in Uluköy Cave, located in Mardin's Kızıltepe district in southeastern Türkiye, revealed evidence of human presence dating back 400,000 years. Moreover, a 12,000-year-old architectural model, believed to be the oldest house model ever discovered, has been unearthed at Çayönü Hill in Diyarbakır, Türkiye, and is now on public display at the Diyarbakır Museum. Finally, the ancient city of Sardis and the Bin Tepe (Thousand Hills) Lydian Tumuli in western Türkiye have been officially added to UNESCO's World Heritage List, following a unanimous decision during the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee, held in Paris on July 6.
Among remarkable archaeological discoveries announced in August 2025 in Türkiye, it is worth mentioning the identification of a remarkable mortuary structure in Çatalhöyük, dubbed the “House of the Dead,” where the remains of 20 individuals were ritually placed. A recent archaeological breakthrough in the ancient city of İznik, formerly known as Nicaea, unveiled richly decorated Roman mosaics and burial plots that may have belonged to a high-ranking Roman general. Finally, archaeologists uncovered a series of cremation burials dating back around 3,000 years at Beçin Fortress in Milas, shedding new light on ancient funerary traditions in western Anatolia.
In September 2025, archaeologists in Turkey announced several major discoveries. In Cappadocia's Göreme region, a 5th-century necropolis was uncovered beneath a road, containing nearly 50 graves, rock-cut living spaces, and artifacts such as reliquary crosses, coins, and jewellery, with plans to transform the site into an archaeopark. Meanwhile, excavations at Phoenix Ancient City in Muğla revealed an Early Iron Age tumulus, stepped pyramidal tombs, Byzantine structures, and evidence of ancient farming and olive-oil production, while in Şanlıurfa a new site called Mendik Tepe — possibly older than Göbekli Tepe — was identified, showing early buildings that suggest permanent settlement and food storage practices. Finally, archaeologists working at Sagalassos, one of the cities of Pisidia, found a large building which likely hosted the organized activities of Roman-era associations roughly 1,800 years ago.
In October 2025 archaeologists in Turkey unveiled several major finds that deepen our understanding of past societies and human migration. In western Anatolia near Ayvalık a previously unknown Ice‐Age land bridge has been proposed after the discovery of 138 Paleolithic stone tools across 10 sites, suggesting a new corridor by which early humans left Anatolia for Europe. Meanwhile near Denizli a 2,700-year-old sanctuary likely dedicated to the Phrygian mother-goddess (Matar/Cybele) was found, complete with rock monuments, twin rock-carved idols, a sacred cave and drainage features — shedding light on ancient Anatolian religious practices.
In November 2025, Turkish archaeology announced a series of remarkable discoveries spanning eras from prehistory to the Middle Ages. Excavations at Degirmenler Höyük revealed architectural remains predating the Karaz culture, reshaping understanding of early settlements in eastern Anatolia. At Çayönü, archaeologists uncovered a 5,000-year-old building collapsed in an ancient earthquake, offering rare insight into prehistoric seismic events. In Konya, the foundation of one of the twelve monumental Seljuk gates built against the Mongol threat came to light. Eastern Türkiye yielded the best-preserved Urartian wall paintings yet found, hidden within an underground complex near Garibin Tepe. Meanwhile, newly identified 8,000-year-old rock art in Kayseri's Develi district pushed back the timeline of Anatolia's early symbolic traditions.
December 2025 closed the archaeological year in Türkiye with a remarkable density of discoveries, restorations, and fresh debates that stretched from the Neolithic foundations of settled life to the layered remains of the Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk, and Ottoman worlds. Across the country, excavations advanced at major sacred landscapes such as Letoon, Göbeklitepe, Karahantepe, and Sefertepe, while long-sought structures like Limyra's Temple of Zeus and hidden palatial complexes at Kültepe finally emerged from the ground. Falling water levels, post-earthquake rescue works, and even chance encounters by shepherds and hikers revealed mosaics, rock art, funerary monuments, underground chapels, and unexpected traces of everyday life, reminding us how much of Anatolia's past still lies just beneath the surface.
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