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 Topkapi 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.
Turkish Archaeological News collects the most important, interesting and inspiring news from Turkish excavation sites. Here's the review for February 2025. Have we missed anything? Please let us know by using Contact tab!
February 1, 2025
Preserving Adult, Child, and Cat Mummies at Aşıklı Höyük with Climate Control
The adult, child, and cat mummies found during the 1989 excavations at Aşıklı Höyük are preserved using climate control methods. Source: Anatolian Archaeology
World’s first domesticated sheep originated in Türkiye, DNA study reveals
Sheep have been essential to human life for over 11,000 years, providing meat, milk, and wool. Now, groundbreaking genetic research has traced the origins of domesticated sheep back to Türkiye’s Aşıklı Höyük, revealing how these animals evolved alongside human civilizations. Source: Türkiye Today
February 2, 2025
Restoration ongoing at world's longest stone bridge in Turkey
The Uzun Köprü, measuring 1,266 meters in length with 171 arches, is recognized as the world's longest stone bridge. It was included in UNESCO's Tentative Heritage List in 2015. Source: Jerusalem Post
February 3, 2025
Göbeklitepe prepares to welcome visitors with its new look
Göbeklitepe, known as the "zero point of history" with a history dating back 12,000 years and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is preparing to welcome visitors with a new visitor center, walking paths and parking areas that are currently under construction. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Türkiye restores 488 lighthouses to preserve maritime heritage
Türkiye is undertaking an ambitious restoration project to renovate 488 lighthouses across the country, ensuring their preservation for future generations. Among them, 42 are classified as historic landmarks. Source: Türkiye Today
In the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire, Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul), Emperor Justinian I and his wife Theodora built the Small Hagia Sophia Poterne for security purposes on the sea side of the walls. This historical structure has an estimated history of approximately 1500 years. However, neglect and lack of maintenance have caused it to gradually become buried. Source: Anatolian Archaeology
February 4, 2025
152 historical artifacts returned from Türkiye to Egypt
In a significant diplomatic gesture, 152 historical artifacts belonging to Egypt were returned from Türkiye, marking a major milestone in the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations. Source: Türkiye Today
Interesting discoveries during restoration at Topkapi Palace
During restoration works conducted in 2018 at the Harem section of Topkapi Palace, experts uncovered intriguing finds beneath the floor tiles of the Agha of the Girls (Kizlar Agasi) room. These included silver and gold coins, earrings, rings, and various jewelry pieces, as well as amulets, talismans, and letters. Source: Türkiye Today
February 5, 2025
Lost works of ancient mathematician Apollonius of Anatolia found in rare Arabic manuscript
Scientists have uncovered two lost books by Apollonius, the renowned mathematician from Anatolia, in an Arabic manuscript housed at the Leiden University Libraries in the Netherlands. This extraordinary find sheds new light on the preservation and transmission of ancient Anatolian knowledge during the Islamic Golden Age. Source: Türkiye Today
Traces of the Santorini Volcano Eruption and Tsunami Victims Found on Türkiye’s Coastline
In recent days, a swarm of earthquakes in the Aegean Sea has alarmed the residents of Santorini, leading to a rapid evacuation of the island, which has now transformed into a deserted landscape. Some seismologists suggest that this earthquake activity may be a precursor to a volcanic eruption. The recent seismic events brought to mind the catastrophic eruption of the Santorini volcano, which occurred some 3,500 years ago. Source: Anatolian Archaeology
February 6, 2025
Reviving cultural heritage of 11 provinces affected by 2023 earthquakes
Following the devastating 2023 earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaras, Türkiye’s General Directorate of Cultural Heritage and Museums has launched extensive efforts to restore the cultural landmarks damaged across 11 affected provinces. Source: Türkiye Today
Sumela Monastery and Altindere Valley transform into winter wonderland
Sumela Monastery, one of the world’s most famous religious and historical sites, and the picturesque Altindere Valley have been blanketed in white after recent snowfall, offering visitors a mesmerizing winter scene. Source: Türkiye Today
Rumeli Han’s mystic tunnel to transform into cultural hub
An ancient secret tunnel in Istanbul's historic Rumeli Han, located on Istanbul’s iconic İstiklal Street, will be transformed into an exclusive location for cultural events, bringing enthusiasts together in an intriguing, distinctive place. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
February 7, 2025
1,500-Year-Old Stained Glass and Mosaics Discovered at Harran Cathedral Excavation in Türkiye
Recent excavations at the historic Harran archaeological site, which is included on UNESCO’s World Heritage Tentative List, have yielded rare mosaic tiles and stained glass fragments that are conjecturally dated to the fifth century, positioning them among the oldest known examples in the region. Source: Arkeonews
Hadrianopolis named as archaeological site
Hadrianopolis, an ancient city in Karabük’s Eskipazar district, has been designated as an archaeological site by the Culture and Tourism Ministry. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
February 8, 2025
Ancient gladiator arena in Türkiye’ Sebastapolis to be fully unearthed
The ancient city of Sebastapolis in Sulusaray, Tokat, once a grand stage for gladiator battles, is set to be fully unearthed through an extensive excavation project. Source: Türkiye Today
Centuries-old Bronze drink filter unearthed in Türkiye’s Hadrianopolis ancient city
Excavation work at Hadrianopolis ancient city in the Eskipazar district of Karabuk has led to the discovery of a fifth-century bronze object believed to have been used as a drink filter. The object, measuring 9.2 centimeters in length, was found at a site that was used as a settlement during the Late Chalcolithic, Roman and Early Byzantine periods. Source: Türkiye Today
February 9, 2025
Archaeologists restore Roman bath columns in Türkiye’s Stratonikeia
Archaeologists have restored columns unearthed in the courtyard of the Roman bath in the ancient city of Stratonikeia, located in the Yatağan district of southwestern Türkiye's Muğla, enhancing the site's appeal to tourists. Source: Daily Sabah
February 10, 2025
Historic walls revealed on Tavsan Island as Aegean Sea recedes in Bodrum
Historic remains of city walls stretching to Tavsan Island have been exposed as the sea level recedes in Bodrum. Source: Türkiye Today
February 13, 2025
Archaeologists discover 5 stunning statues in Türkiye’s Perge ancient city
Excavations in Perge ancient city, conducted as part of the “Heritage for the Future Project” under the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism, have led to the discovery of five sculptures from different historical periods. Source: Türkiye Today
Gobeklitepe controversy leads to removal of trees
Gobeklitepe, the world’s oldest cult center, has once again become the center of online controversy. A recent video shared by an unofficial social media page has fueled speculation about the state of excavations at the UNESCO-listed site in southeastern Türkiye. Source: Türkiye Today
Controversy over Hagia Sophia ticket revenue in Türkiye
Istanbul MP Oguz Kaan Salici of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) has raised concerns over the revenue generated from Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya) Grand Mosque and directed his criticism at Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Source: Türkiye Today
Renovation proceeds on specific parts of historic Selimiye Mosque
Restoration work is ongoing at the muezzin mahfil of Selimiye Mosque, a masterpiece of Turkish-Islamic architecture and home to some of the finest examples of Edirnekari art, a traditional Ottoman decorative art style originating from Edirne in northwestern Türkiye. Source: Daily Sabah
Ancient foods researched in Pompeipolis
Research has begun to explore the dietary habits of ancient inhabitants and the insect species from their time, conducted at a villa in the ancient city of Pompeipolis, popularly known as the "Ephesus of the Black Sea," in Kastamonu. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
14 February
Waves expose Archaic statue fragment in Kusadasi coastal area
A fragment of an ancient Kouros (young male) statue has been uncovered in the coastal area of Kusadasi, Aydin, where waves have eroded the ground. The piece was spotted by Berkant Akbacak, a concerned local resident, who promptly reported it to the relevant authorities. Source: Turkiye Today
15 February
Türkiye’s 200-year-old palace carpets restored to former glory
The Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye’s Directorate of National Palaces has embarked on a meticulous restoration process to bring back two 200-year-old palace carpets, which are among the rarest pieces of Ottoman palace culture, to displayable condition. Source: Turkiye Today
The U.S. is returning the statue of Marcus Aurelius to Türkiye after 65 years
In a significant cultural development, the United States will return the Marcus Aurelius statue to Türkiye after 65 years. This bronze statue, which comes from the ancient city of Boubon in Burdur, was taken abroad during the 1960s through illegal excavations. Currently, it resides in the Cleveland Museum of Art in Ohio. Source: Anatolian Archaeology
16 February
Lost Ottoman manuscripts resurface in Vatican secret archives
Fatih Cekirge, a journalist from Türkiye’s daily Hurriyet, has uncovered handwritten documents stored within the Vatican’s secret vaults. Among them is a remarkable letter that sheds light on a turning point in European and Ottoman history. Source: Turkiye Today
Türkiye’s ancient cities witness Santorini’s cataclysmic eruption 3,500 years ago
The discovery of volcanic ash across three significant archaeological sites in Anatolia reveals the far-reaching impact of the catastrophic eruption of Santorini’s volcano 3,500 years ago. Source: Turkiye Today
17 February
1,500-year-old cistern near Hagia Sophia turned into modern spa, prompting authorities to intervene
A luxurious spa operating under the name “Navitas Spa Sarnic” inside a 1,500-year-old historic cistern beneath the world-renowned five-star Hilton Hotel near Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque has been shut down. Source: Turkiye Today
18 February
World’s oldest ‘will’ found in Kultepe sheds light on ancient Anatolia’s legal practices
Kultepe Kanesh-Karum, located along the Kayseri-Sivas highway, has long been recognized as one of the most important archaeological sites in Anatolia, with its roots tracing back to over 6,000 years ago. Under the leadership of Professor Fikri Kulakoglu, the ongoing excavations continue to uncover remarkable findings, most notably the discovery of cuneiform tablets that provide extraordinary insight into the social and legal systems of the time. Source: Turkiye Today
Beyşehir Eşrefoğlu Mosque, a remarkable example of Anatolian Seljuk architecture, is one of the rare structures in the region that has preserved its original form. This historical mosque attracts the attention of both local and international tourists. Source: Anatolian Archaeology
19 February
Japanese Archaeologists Find 4,200-Year-Old Evidence of Iron Workmanship at Kaman Kalehöyük
Japanese archaeologists have made striking discoveries related to ironworking in the Bronze Age layer dating back 4,200 years at the Kaman Kalehöyük excavation site in Central Anatolia. Located northeast of Kaman District, just northwest of Kırşehir city center, this ancient settlement contains four distinct cultural layers from the Ottoman Period, Iron Age, Middle and Late Bronze Age, and Early Bronze Age. Source: Anatolian Archaeology
22 February
Byzantine Bridge: Strong Against Earthquakes, Vulnerable to Looters
A historic, single-arched bridge, believed to date back to the Byzantine era, located in Erbaa district of Tokat, northeastern Türkiye, has withstood the test of time and earthquakes, but has fallen victim to treasure hunters. The Yer Köprü, still in use by the local community, is renowned for its resilience. However, the relentless pursuit of hidden treasures has led to the bridge’s unfortunate damage. Source: Anatolian Archaeology
Preserved or neglected? 2,300-year-old tomb on display in Bodrum supermarket
A 2,300-year-old rock-cut tomb, discovered during construction work at the entrance of Bodrum, Türkiye, has been controversially placed on display inside a supermarket. The ancient burial site, dating back to the third century B.C., is now situated among store aisles, enclosed by metal barriers. Source: Turkiye Today
24 February
‘Mosaic House’ unveiled in Türkiye’s Pergamon: A glimpse into ancient life
Excavations at the UNESCO World Heritage site of Pergamon, located in Izmir, Türkiye, have uncovered the remains of a large “Mosaic House” complex, along with ancient tombs, kitchenware, weaponry, and jewelry. Source: Turkiye Today
25 February
2,000-year-old water channels in Türkiye’s ancient Smyrna still flowing
The 2,000-year-old water channels of the ancient city of Smyrna in Izmir continue to function as they did centuries ago. Source: Turkiye Today
26 February
Unraveling the Production Center and Techniques of Obsidian Mirrors at Tepecik Çiftlik
Recent research at Tepecik Çiftlik, a site illuminating the Neolithic period in the heart of Anatolia, is uncovering the mysteries of obsidian mirrors used since the 8th millennium BC. These rare artifacts, distinguished by their elegant circular shapes and captivating reflective surfaces, offer significant insights into the social and ritualistic world of that era, beyond their mere reflective function. Source: Anatolian Archaeology
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