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.
Turkish Archaeological News collects the most important, interesting and inspiring news from Turkish excavation sites. Here's the review for January 2025. Have we missed anything? Please let us know by using Contact tab!
January 1, 2025
Excavations continue, market of Alexandria Troas being revealed
Excavations at the ancient city of Alexandria Troas, located on the shores of the Aegean Sea, are uncovering a 2,200-year-old market structure from the Hellenistic period. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Ottoman-scripted coin unearthed in Amida
This year’s excavations at Amida Mound, part of the UNESCO World Heritage List in Diyarbakır, have been concluded. Among the artifacts unearthed this year is an Ottoman-scripted coin from the early years of the Turkish Republic. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Mosque’s leaning minaret to be restored with pioneering method
The minaret of Sivas Ulu Mosque, often compared to Italy’s leaning tower of Pisa due to its 117-centimeter tilt, is set to undergo restoration using an innovative method being implemented in Türkiye for the first time. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
January 2, 2025
Discover Ephesus: Fresh routes, new discoveries await visitors in Izmir
As part of the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s “Eternal Ephesus for the Future” project, visitors can discover Ephesus through new walking routes, a redesigned entrance, and restored archaeological areas. These updates aim to create a more comprehensive experience of the ancient city. Source: Türkiye Today
Lighting work completed in Amos
The lighting installation in the ancient city of Amos in Muğla's Marmaris district has been completed. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Large, well-preserved Roman-era bath mosaics discovered in Türkiye
Archaeologists have made an extraordinary discovery in the ancient city of Heraclea in Mugla‘s Milas district. The Roman-era bath floor revealed large mosaics with detailed depictions of crocodiles, eels, dolphins and flamingos in a Roman bath. Source: Türkiye Today
January 5, 2025
What lies beneath Hagia Sophia? Secrets of underground tunnels, vaults, tombs opens for visitors
Hagia Sophia, a marvel of architectural, religious, and cultural history, holds more than meets the eye. Beneath its towering dome and majestic walls lies a labyrinth of underground tunnels, vaults and a fascinating three-chambered tomb. Source: Türkiye Today
January 6, 2025
Farmer plowing field uncovers ancient sarcophagus in Türkiye’s Iznik
A farmer plowing his field in Hocakoy, a village in Iznik, Bursa, has uncovered an ancient stone cover and column capital. Source: Türkiye Today
Mysterious stones unveiled at Oluz Hoyuk: Ancient temple construction decoded
Amasya’s Oluz Hoyuk excavation site has unveiled fascinating findings that shed light on ancient construction practices. The mysterious light green stones, predominantly used in the construction of historic temples, are now under scientific investigation. Source: Türkiye Today
Macedonian Tower’s elevator to carry visitors through time
The second phase of the restoration of the Macedonian Tower, a Roman-era structure in Edirne, initiated by the Culture and Tourism Ministry in 2021, continues. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Ancient Anatolian leopard depicted on 800-year-old ceramic unearthed in Hasankeyf
In the historic district of Hasankeyf, Batman, a remarkable 800-year-old ceramic fragment featuring what is believed to be an Anatolian leopard has been unearthed. Source: Türkiye Today
Archaeologists discover well-preserved 14th-century structure in Türkiye’s Assos
An early Ottoman-era bath has been unearthed in Assos, located in Behramkale village, Ayvacik district of Canakkale, Türkiye. Source: Türkiye Today
January 8, 2025
The remaining piece of a 2000-year-old mosaic, believed to belong to the Roman period, has still not been removed after 22 years. The Tepecik Mosaic, located in the Sivas Archaeology Museum, was discovered on the floor of a barn in the Gürün district of Sivas. Source: Anatolian Archaeology
Türkiye’s ancient Herakleia’s hidden love for animals revealed through paw prints, artifacts
In the ancient city of Herakleia, located in Milas, Mugla province, recent excavations have uncovered intriguing evidence of the strong bond between the people of this city and animals. Source: Türkiye Today
January 9, 2025
Could newly discovered shipwreck in Black Sea be linked to Ottoman Empire?
A potential Ottoman shipwreck from World War I has been discovered by an amateur fisherman off the coast of Akcakoca, Duzce, sparking excitement among researchers and archaeologists. Source: Türkiye Today
January 10, 2025
The farmer plowing his field discovered an ancient stone lid and a column capital
In the historic city of İznik, an important site in Anatolia, a farmer discovered an ancient stone lid and a column capital while plowing his field. Source: Anatolian Archaeology
Ancient game pieces discovered in Hadrianopolis
Excavation efforts at the Hadrianopolis Ancient City in the Eskipazar district of Karabuk, Türkiye have unveiled two bone game pieces, dating back to the 5th century. The discovery offers a glimpse into ancient military strategy games once played in the region. Source: Türkiye Today
'Big surprise' reveals supposed skull of 'Cleopatra's sister' actually belongs to an 11-year-old boy
A skull long assumed to be from Arsinoë IV, Cleopatra's half sister, is actually from an adolescent boy who had a genetic disorder, according to researchers. In a new study, the combination of CT scans and DNA analysis has proved once and for all that the skeleton, which was discovered in Turkey a century ago, was not Arsinoë. Source: Live Science
January 11, 2025
Restoration work to revive historic splendor of Ancient Van City
Efforts to restore 12 architectural remains from the Seljuk and Ottoman periods in the Old City of Van to the south of Van Castle are bringing the area’s historical grandeur back to life. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Turkish chef recreates 8,600-year-old Neolithic bread
Turkish chef Ulaş Tekerkaya has revived an ancient bread recipe based on an 8,600-year-old loaf discovered at the Neolithic site of Çatalhöyük in the Central Anatolian province of Konya. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
4,000-Year-Old Harput Relief Discovered by Chance Sheds Light on History
Approximately nine years ago, a 4,000-year-old Harput relief was discovered by chance and is now on display at the Elazığ City Museum. This remarkable artifact provides valuable insights into ancient history. Source: Anatolian Archaeology
January 12, 2025
2,000-year-old Artemis bust preserved with original paint in Türkiye’s Bolu
A 2,000-year-old bust of the Greek goddess Artemis, discovered during construction work in Bolu in the 1970s, captures attention with its original painted details. Source: Türkiye Today
Apollon Temple: Must-visit in Türkiye as 132,000 visitors experience ancient wonders in 2024
The Apollon Temple in Aydin’s Didim district in Türkiye, renowned as one of antiquity’s best-preserved temples, continues to captivate tourists with its majestic architecture and mythological stories. In 2024, the temple attracted 132,740 visitors, showcasing its enduring appeal. Source: Türkiye Today
Southern walls unearthed at Türkiye’s 3,000-year-old Zerzevan Castle
A treasure trove of Roman history emerges as excavations at Zerzevan Castle in Diyarbakir reveal ancient southern walls and unlock secrets of a unique Mithras temple. Source: Türkiye Today
Restoration of the Asar Bridge from the Roman Era Completed
The Asar Bridge, an extraordinary remnant from the Roman era, has recently undergone a significant restoration. This project aimed to preserve the architectural integrity of the bridge while ensuring its safety for future generations. Source: Anatolian Archaeology
January 13, 2025
Edirne’s 15th-century Gazi Mihal Hammam to be reimagined as fragrance or cheese museum
The historic Gazi Mihal Hammam, a 15th-century Ottoman structure in Edirne, is set to undergo a remarkable transformation into either a fragrance museum or a cheese museum, according to Edirne Governor Yunus Sezer. Source: Türkiye Today
January 14, 2025
Topkapi Palace brings Ottoman legacy to life with historical guards
Topkapi Palace, a historical landmark attracting thousands of visitors daily, has introduced a new initiative where gendarmeries stand guard in “silahtar” uniforms, reminiscent of the Ottoman Empire’s elite guards. Source: Türkiye Today
Gerga Inscribed Monumental Statue Found in Farmhouse 14 Years Ago Left to Its Fate
The Gerga Monumental Statue, stolen from the ancient city of Gerga in the Karia region, has been left to its fate after being discovered 14 years ago in a farmhouse. Rescued from antiquities traffickers, the Gerga statue was initially handed over to the İzmir Archaeology Museum, where it was stored in a neglected corner. Recently transferred to the Aydın Archaeology Museum, the statue is unfortunately uncared for and has been abandoned in the museum’s garden without being displayed. Source: Anatolian Archaeology
January 15, 2025
Archaeologists unearth clues about Anatolia’s lost Kaska community
Archaeologists at Inönü Cave, located in Alacabük village in the Ereğli district of northern Türkiye's Zonguldak, have uncovered artifacts possibly linked to the elusive Kaska people, an ancient Anatolian community mentioned in Hittite texts but long shrouded in mystery. Source: Daily Sabah
January 16, 2025
Student finds 1000-year-old Byzantine coin in Canakkale, donates it to Troy Museum
A young student from Canakkale has made an extraordinary discovery while exploring the streets of Balikesir. Ali Osman Islak, a middle school student from Lapseki Huseyin Akif Terzioglu Middle School, stumbled upon an ancient coin believed to date back nearly 1,000 years to the Byzantine Empire. Source: Türkiye Today
Hidden story behind 2,000 bronze statue fragments unearthed in Izmir’s ancient ‘junkyard’
Archaeologists in Türkiye’s Izmir have made a fascinating discovery at the ancient site of Metropolis—approximately 2,000 bronze statue fragments that could rewrite parts of the city’s history. Source: Türkiye Today
January 17, 2025
Antalya welcomes over 3.2M visitors to museums, ancient sites in 2024
Antalya, one of the world’s most significant tourism destinations, hosted 3.25 million visitors at its museums and ancient sites in 2024. Known for its natural beauty, turquoise waters and historical treasures, the city remains a magnet for history and culture enthusiasts. Source: Türkiye Today
Anatolia's manuscript heritage comes to light
Books that have withstood centuries of wear, including those from the Anatolian Seljuk State, Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror’s library and the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent, will be revealed after restoration. Manuscripts from the Abbasid and Mamluk periods will also be showcased following binding repairs. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Giresun Museum: Journey through time with rich archaeological, ethnographic finds
Located in Türkiye’s Black Sea region, the Giresun Museum captivates visitors with its extensive collection of archaeological and ethnographic artifacts. Under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the museum has been preserving history for nearly 37 years, displaying relics from various civilizations, including the Hittites, Phrygians, Seljuks and Ottomans. Source: Türkiye Today
Ancient Hadrian’s Stadium Restoration Starts in Bolu
The restoration of Hadrian’s ancient stadium in Bolu, a significant historical landmark in Türkiye’s Western Black Sea region, has begun. This remarkable structure, dedicated to Roman Emperor Hadrian, offers a fascinating glimpse into the region’s rich Roman past. Source: Anatolian Archaeology
Polonezköy: The 200-Year-Old Polish Village on the Brink of Disappearance
Polonezköy, founded 200 years ago by Polish immigrants who came to Istanbul, is in danger of losing its cultural richness due to the decrease in its population of Polish origin. Source: Anatolian Archaeology
January 18, 2025
Historic tombs discovered during mosque restoration in Türkiye
During restoration efforts at Tokat’s Meydan Mosque (Gulbahar Hatun Mosque), historic tombs and burial remains were discovered, prompting the Sivas Regional Board for the Protection of Cultural Assets to approve archaeological excavation work in the area. Source: Türkiye Today
The Area Used by the Participants of Secret Rituals in Zerzevan Castle is Being Revealed
Recent excavations at Zerzevan Castle, near Diyarbakır in southeastern Türkiye, are revealing fascinating new discoveries. Archaeologists are uncovering an area believed to have been used for lodging by participants in secret rituals. This significant finding sheds light on the mysterious practices within this 3,000-year-old Roman military settlement. Source: Anatolian Archaeology
January 22, 2025
2,000-year-old obelisk in Iznik’s peach orchard attracts tourists
A 2,000-year-old obelisk, a Roman-era tomb monument, has become a major point of interest for tourists in Iznik, a district of Bursa in Türkiye. Source: Türkiye Today
Russian Tsar Nicholas’ hunting lodge in Türkiye awaits restoration as it faces risk of collapse
The hunting lodge of Russian Tsar Nicholas II in Sarikamis, Kars, is facing the imminent danger of collapse because of neglect. The 19th-century architectural gem, located in one of Türkiye’s top winter tourism destinations, desperately needs restoration. Source: Türkiye Today
January 23, 2025
2,200-year-old mosaic, 1,800-year-old tomb unearthed in Türkiye’s Assos
Archaeologists excavating the ancient city of Assos in Türkiye’s Canakkale province have uncovered a 2,200-year-old mosaic and a 1,800-year-old monumental tomb, offering fresh insights into the region’s Hellenistic and Roman past. Source: Türkiye Today
January 24, 2025
Türkiye’s ‘City of Gladiators’ brings history back to life
The village square at the entrance of Stratonikeia, known as city of gladiators, an ancient city in Mugla’s Yatagan district, is undergoing a grand restoration as part of the “Legacy for the Future Project.” Source: Türkiye Today
The 1800-year-old grape processing industry in Türkiye will be revitalized
A new project will revitalize an ancient grape processing facility that is 1800 years old at the Perre Ancient City in Adıyaman. This city is one of the five major cities of the Kingdom of Commagene. Source: Anatolian Archaeology
January 27, 2025
Ancient clues reveal 4,200-year-old climate change in Anatolia
The archaeological site of Kultepe Kanis (Kanesh)-Karum, known as the birthplace of Anatolian history, continues to shed light on the region’s ancient past. Source: Türkiye Today
January 28, 2025
Ephesus sets visitor record in 2024
İzmir's ancient city of Ephesus, one of the most significant metropolises of the ancient world, welcomed an all-time high of 2,695,000 visitors in 2024. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
January 30, 2025
Gavur Beşiği Cave: A Hidden Byzantine Sanctuary
Nestled in the lush Çamlık Nature Monument of Konya’s Derebucak district, Gavur Beşiği Cave is a hidden paradise. It captivates visitors with its natural beauty and historical significance. Locals also call it the “Painted Cave,” and it awaits discovery like a treasure trove. The walls and ceiling are adorned with figures and symbols from the Byzantine period. These features provide crucial clues that suggest the cave was once a place of worship. Source: Anatolian Archaeology
January 31, 2025
Bursa to attract tourists with 'Archeopark' and 'Historic Silk Factory'
The archeopark in Bursa’s Osmangazi district, located in the Hisar area, is set for completion this summer, while the historic silk factory in Muradiye neighborhood, expropriated by the municipality, will also be revamped for tourism. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Unveiling Marmara’s hidden past: Did tsunamis strike Istanbul?
The “Marmaray” project, designed to connect both sides of the Bosphorus via a rail tunnel, led to extensive archaeological excavations in Yenikapi under the supervision of the Istanbul Archaeological Museums. These excavations, which lasted nearly ten years, revealed groundbreaking discoveries, including evidence that ancient tsunamis may have struck Istanbul. The most significant find was the unearthing of the Late Roman (Byzantine) period harbor, known as Theodosius Harbor. Source: Türkiye Today
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