The biggest archaeological news in February was the publication from a research team led by volcano biologist Hardy Pfanz explaining how Plutonium in Hierapolis - "Gate to Hell" - killed its victims with a cloud of deadly carbon dioxide. Moreover, the past month fell under the shadow of approaching inundation of Hasankeyf, one of the most fascinating historical sites in Turkey.
Turkish Archaeological News collects the most important, interesting and inspiring news from Turkish excavation sites. Here's the review for February 2018. Have we missed anything? Let us know by using Contact tab!
February 1, 2018
Vaselon, one of the oldest monasteries in Anatolia, to be restored
Turkey is set to restore one of the oldest monasteries in the country as it strives to revive its ancient heritage, this time for Vazelon in the northern city of Trabzon, home to the famed Sümela Monastery and similar sites. Source: Daily Sabah
‘Surgeons of history’ recover Turkey’s historical artifacts in labs
The restoration team at the Directorate of Istanbul Central and Regional Restoration and Conservation Laboratory, work delicately like surgeons to restore and conserve artifacts from various civilizations that belong to Turkey’s historical heritage. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Centuries-old Ottoman pottery, manuscript repatriated to Turkey from England
As part of Turkey's ongoing efforts to get back antiquities taken from the country, a work of pottery and a manuscript are among the latest pieces to be repatriated. Source: Daily Sabah
February 2, 2018
One of the oldest churches in Anatolia found in northern Turkey
Possibly one of the oldest churches in Anatolia was unearthed in the northern Turkish province of Karabük, a report said Friday. Source: Daily Sabah
February 6, 2018
Early Anatolian church found in Karabük
A 1,500-year-old structure believed to be one of the earliest churches in Anatolia has been unearthed during archaeological excavations in the ancient city of Hadrianapolis (Paphlagonia) in the Black Sea province of Karabük’s Eskipazar district. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
One of the earliest Ottoman print books preserved through cooperation
The Turkish Cultural Foundation and the Chester Beatty Library in Dublin have cooperated to preserve a rare book, ‘Kitab-ı Cihannüma,' one of the earliest printed books in Ottoman. Source: Daily Sabah
February 8, 2018
Bodrum’s 600-year-old Sandıma village abandoned to meet its fate
A centuries old village in a mountainous area, one kilometer away from the Geriş neighborhood in the western town of Bodrum, has become a victim of abandon. Calls have been made for the village to become a tourist attraction. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
February 9, 2018
Roman artifacts wash up on shore in Turkey’s Bartın
Pieces of tombs and columns, believed to date back to the Roman era, have washed up on the shores of the Amasra district in the northern province of Bartın following waves caused by a storm. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
800-year-old Quran on display in Turkey’s north
The manuscripts of an 800-year-old Quran are currently on display at the Tokat Museum in northern Turkey. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
UNESCO World Heritage site Selimiye Mosque to go through extensive restoration
UNESCO World Heritage site the Selimiye Mosque, which was built by famous Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan in 1575 and regarded as the peak of Turkish-Islamic architecture, will go through extensive restoration this year. Source: Daily Sabah
February 10, 2018
Tykhe sculpture smuggled from Turkey’s Perge to Brussels
A Tyche (goddess of fortune) sculpture, which has been smuggled from the southern province of Antalya’s Perge, has been reported to be at the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium in Brussels. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
February 13, 2018
Locals plunge into warm waters of historic Yozgat bath during winter
A historic Roman-era bath, known as the King’s Daughter, in the Central Anatolian province of Yozgat’s Sarıkaya district is drawing many visitors to its ancient structure, architecture and healing water which has been flowing for 2,000 years. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
February 14, 2018
Stones on submerging Hasankeyf bridge moved to museum
Stones featuring figures of Roman soldiers on the legs of a 2,500-year-old bridge in the 12,000-year-old ancient settlement of Hasankeyf in the southeastern province of Batman have been moved to a museum, as the historic bridge is set to disappear underwater in the wake of the controversial construction of the Ilısu Dam. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
February 16, 2018
This Roman 'gate to hell' killed its victims with a cloud of deadly carbon dioxide
Research team led by volcano biologist Hardy Pfanz at the University of Duisburg-Essen in Germany has studied the shrine’s killing potential in greater detail. Pfanz and his colleagues measured the CO2 concentration in the arena over time. Source: Science Magazine
February 19, 2018
1,700-year-old altar found in Turkey's Afyonkarahisar stolen
An invaluable ancient altar from the Roman period discovered in western Turkey's Afyonkarahisar province during sewage works last year has been stolen, reports said Monday. Source: Daily Sabah
February 20, 2018
Deadly mystery of Turkey’s ancient ‘Gate to Hell’ revealed
The ancient Greek site known as "Gate to Hell," located in modern-day Turkey's western Denizli province, really did kill those who got too close – but instead of an angry god's breath, noxious gas claimed victims, scientists have found. Source: Daily Sabah
February 21, 2018
Ancient road destroyed to make way for villagers’ olive groves in Aydın
Four kilometers of a 2,300-year-old stone road, which connects the ancient cities of Alinda and Herakleia (Latmos) in the western province of Aydın’s Söke district, have been destroyed by villagers to make way for their olive groves. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Ancient crown seized in Istanbul
A 2,200-year-old crown and silver bowl have been seized by police in Istanbul during a hotel raid against historical artifact smugglers. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Restoration works on 5,000-year-old Perga’s ancient theater to begin soon
Restoration works for the 7,000-person ancient theater located in the 5,000-year-old ancient city of Perga in Turkey's southern Antalya province will soon be launched, Antalya Relief and Monument Director Cemil Karabayram said Wednesday. Source: Daily Sabah
February 22, 2018
World’s oldest temple site Göbeklitepe reopens to visitors in Turkey’s southeast
The ancient site of Göbeklitepe, which is considered the world’s oldest temple area and has been closed for the last 18 months, has once again opened its doors to visitors following the construction of protective roofs. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
February 26, 2018
Grand Bazaar’s roof restoration set to finish in April
Restoration works on the 233-year-old roof of Istanbul's Grand Bazaar are set to be completed in April. Source: Daily Sabah
February 27, 2018
Historic Georgian church in Turkey’s Erzurum to be restored
The historic Öşvank Church, built in the 10th century by the descendants of Georgian King Kuropalat Adernese in the eastern province of Erzurum’s Uzundere district, is set to undergo a significant restoration process this year. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
February 28, 2018
Ancient tomb found in Istanbul’s Kadıköy
A Roman-era sarcophagus, believed to date back 2000 years, has been unearthed during a construction work in Istanbul’s Kadıköy district, daily Habertürk has reported. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
