While February 2022 was a relatively quiet month in the context of archaeological discoveries made in the area of Turkey, several significant events took place in that month. Rare swords from the Byzantine Empire were discovered in a fortified city of Amorium, a military stronghold located between the Byzantine capital of Constantinople and the cities of Nicaea and Ancyra. Several 2,500-year-old fortifications were uncovered in the ancient city of Pergamon. Moreover, Roman remains dating back 1,800 years were found in a valley near the Balkayası village of Ağın district in the eastern province of Elazığ. Finally, new findings unearthed during excavations in the ancient city of Dara in the southeastern province of Mardin revealed that the historical site had been an important olive production and trade centre.

Turkish Archaeological News collects the most important, interesting and inspiring news from Turkish excavation sites. Here's the review for February 2022. Have we missed anything? Let us know by using Contact tab!

February 1, 2022

Mosaic depicts open-air banquet [[https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/mosaic-depicts-open-air-banquet-171157]]

During the excavations in the ancient city of Germanicia in the southern province of Kahramanmaraş, a mosaic describing an open-air feast where three women are dancing to music has been unearthed. The mosaic is believed to date back to 1,500 years. Source: Hürriyet Daily News

February 4, 2022

While swimming in Dikili, he found the port of the ancient city of Atarneus, which belonged to the Akali [[https://awoum.com/while-swimming-in-dikili-he-found-the-port-of-the-anci...

Denem Orhun, a computer engineer who works as a software developer in a music company in the United States, came to his father-in-law’s house in Dikili district of İzmir with his wife for vacation in the summer of 2020. Orhun, diving on the bank of Kabakum Road in İsmetpaşa Mahallesi, encountered round pillars underwater. As a result of a year-long research by experts from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the structure has been determined to have been the ancient port of the ancient city of Atarneus, the first city-state founded by the Akalis, dating back thousands of years. Source: Awoum

February 5, 2022

Exhibition opens at historical mound [[https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/exhibition-opens-at-historical-mound-1...

Aşıklı Mound has turned into a dialogue between art and archeology through the works of 13 Turkish and international artists. The exhibition “Lines of Site,” which opened on Feb. 4 at the Historical Hüsrev Kethüda Bath, can be visited until Feb. 25. Source: Hürriyet Daily News

Rare Byzantine swords found in medieval stronghold [[https://www.livescience.com/rare-byzantine-swords-discovered]]

Archaeologists in Turkey have discovered two "rare and unique" swords from the Byzantine Empire in a heavily fortified city Amorium, a military stronghold located between the Byzantine capital of Constantinople and the cities of Nicaea and Ancyra. One of the swords, unearthed in a church, may have been placed there as an offering. Source: Live Science

February 6, 2022

Ancient Armenian church in Turkey's Diyarbakır to be renovated [[https://www.dailysabah.com/life/history/ancient-armenian-church-in-turke...

The Surp Sargis Armenian Church, built in the 16th century in the Alipaşa neighborhood of Sur district, Diyarbakır province, is expected to undergo restoration, officials told Anadolu Agency. Source: Daily Sabah

February 9, 2022

Findings shed light on Turkish period of Stratonikeia [[https://www.dailysabah.com/arts/findings-shed-light-on-turkish-period-of...

The historical artifacts unearthed during the excavations carried out in the ancient city of Stratonikeia, located in the Yatağan district of southwestern Muğla province, shed light on the Turkish period in the ancient city. Source: Daily Sabah

February 11, 2022

World’s largest ancient theater in İzmit [[https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/worlds-largest-ancient-theater-in-izmi...

Nicomedia in what is today the İzmit district of the northwestern province of Kocaeli, which was one of the first metropolitan cities of the Roman Empire and its capital for long years, is home to the world’s largest ancient theater overlooking the sea, according to archaeological data. Source: Hürriyet Daily News

Turkey’s Troy Museum to be introduced in digital environment [[https://www.dailysabah.com/arts/turkeys-troy-museum-to-be-introduced-in-...

With a new project being carried out in collaboration with Wikipedia, the award-winning Troy Museum will be comprehensively put on the internet, which is expected to boost the number of visitors to the cultural venue that retells the archaeological history of Troy through excavated artifacts and digital presentations. Source: Daily Sabah

February 12, 2022

Two artifacts put on display at İzmir Archeology Museum [[https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/two-artifacts-put-on-display-at-izmir-...

The İzmir Archeology Museum has put on display a 5,000-year-old historical limestone stele, depicting the silhouette of a praying person, and a 4,000-year-old terracotta pottery with a human face on it, belonging to the Early Bronze Age. Source: Hürriyet Daily News

February 15, 2022

Ancient bastion now welcomes art lovers [[https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/ancient-bastion-now-welcomes-art-lover...

A 2,300-year-old bastion in Turkey’s northwestern province of Bursa has been turned into a contemporary art center following a comprehensive restoration process carried out by local authorities. Source: Hürriyet Daily News

New ancient fortification walls discovered in Turkey's Pergamon [[https://www.dailysabah.com/life/history/new-ancient-fortification-walls-...

Several 2,500-year-old fortifications were recently discovered in the ancient city of Pergamon in Turkey's Bergama, which was included in the World Heritage List by UNESCO in 2014. Source: Daily Sabah

February 17, 2022

Ancient city of Dara once served as center of olive trade [[https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/ancient-city-of-dara-once-served-as-ce...

New findings that have been unearthed during excavations in the ancient city of Dara in the southeastern province of Mardin reveal that the historical site had been an important olive production and trade center. Source: Hürriyet Daily News

February 19, 2022

Sculptures in underwater museum victim of neglect [[https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/sculptures-in-underwater-museum-victim...

The Side Underwater Museum, Turkey’s first underwater museum, is in a state of deterioration due to the lack of maintenance and poachers’ anchors despite the ban. Source: Hürriyet Daily News

February 21, 2022

1,800-year-old Roman remains found in valley of eastern Turkey [[https://www.dailysabah.com/arts/1800-year-old-roman-remains-found-in-val...

Roman remains dating back 1,800 years were found in a valley near the Balkayası village of Ağın district in the eastern province of Elazığ. The remains include significant findings like rock tombs and catacombs, human-made subterranean passageways for religious practices. Source: Daily Sabah

Latest Rhodes shipwreck of Roman period found in Turkey’s Fethiye [[https://www.dailysabah.com/arts/latest-rhodes-shipwreck-of-roman-period-...

A shipwreck of Rhodes dating back to the third century A.D. was found in the depths of the Gulf of Fethiye within the scope of the study being carried out by the Turkish Shipwreck Inventory Project: Blue Heritage (TUBEP). Source: Daily Sabah

February 23, 2022

Police seize Roman-era baby Eros relief in western Turkey [[https://www.dailysabah.com/turkey/investigations/police-seize-roman-era-...

Turkish police units seized several historical artifacts including a relief and column fragments depicting the figure of a baby Eros during a house raid in the western province of Manisa. Source: Daily Sabah