July 2025 brought 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.
Turkish Archaeological News collects the most important, interesting and inspiring news from Turkish excavation sites. Here's the review for July 2025. Have we missed anything? Please let us know by using Contact tab!
July 1, 2025
Gaziantep Castle set to reopen in October
Restoration work on Gaziantep Castle, damaged during the Feb. 6, 2023 earthquakes, is nearing completion as officials aim to reopen the site to visitors by October. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Glazed tiles and gilded stucco reveal hidden splendor of medieval Anatolia's Konya
In the heart of medieval Konya, Türkiye, a structure once stood that exemplified the refined artistry and complex architectural decoration of the Seljuk Empire. Though now in ruins, the Qilij Arslan II Kiosk—built during the reign of Sultan Qilij Arslan II or Kilij Arslan II in the late twelfth century—offers a glimpse into a world where beauty was engineered to astonish and architecture was designed to provoke awe. Source: Türkiye Today
July 2, 2025
Did Pontic king Mithradates VI die here? Excavations begins at Türkiye's Cingirt Castle
Archaeological excavations are set to resume at Cingirt Castle, located in the Yaprakli neighborhood of the Fatsa district in Türkiye’s northern province of Ordu. According to a statement released by Ordu Metropolitan Municipality, the renewed effort is part of a broader initiative to uncover and preserve the region’s cultural heritage for future generations. Source: Türkiye Today
Rare 3,500-Year-Old Hittite Sword Now on Display at Kastamonu Museum in Türkiye
A rare bronze sword dating back 3,500 years to the Hittite civilization is now on public display at Kastamonu Museum in northern Türkiye. The artifact is part of a newly opened bronze exhibition titled “102 Exhibitions for the 102nd Anniversary: A Journey Through Anatolia’s Cultural Heritage in the Light of the Republic.” Source: Anatolian Archaeology
Historic Beylerbeyi Palace undergoes major restoration in 150 years
Beylerbeyi Palace, a jewel-like imperial legacy standing on the shores of the Bosphorus, is undergoing its most extensive restoration to date, according to an exclusive report by Turkish media outlet Türkiye daily's Murat Oztekin. Source: Türkiye Today
Ishak Pasha Palace in Agri hosts exhibition of Traditional Turkish Arts
An exhibition of traditional Turkish arts was held at the historic Ishak Pasha Palace in Dogubayazit, a district of Agri. Source: Türkiye Today
July 3, 2025
Bronze statue caught in fishermen’s net to go on display
A 2,200-year-old bronze statue of a woman, accidentally caught in the net of fishermen off the coast of Marmaris five years ago, will go on public display for the first time. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Restoration underway at historic mosque where first Friday prayer held in Anatolia
The Fethiye Mosque, also known as the old Ani Cathedral, located within the Ani Archaeological Site in eastern Türkiye’s Kars province, is undergoing a phased restoration. This structure is considered the first “conquest mosque” in Anatolia, marking the site where the first Friday prayer was performed following the Seljuk conquest of Ani in 1064. Source: Türkiye Today
Queen’s Tombs of the Kommagene Kingdom to Be Unveiled at Karakuş Tumulus in Adıyaman
The Ministry of Culture and Tourism has announced plans to excavate the queen’s tombs at the Karakuş Tumulus, located in Adıyaman, Türkiye. These tombs are believed to belong to Isas, the wife of King Antiochos I, their daughter Antiokhis, and granddaughter Aka of the ancient Kommagene Kingdom. Source: Anatolian Archaeology
Traces of Humanity Stretch Back 400,000 Years: Striking Discoveries in Uluköy Cave
Archaeological excavations in Uluköy Cave, located in Mardin’s Kızıltepe district in southeastern Türkiye, have revealed evidence of human presence dating back 400,000 years. From obsidian tools to animal remains, the discoveries shed new light on the deep roots of human history in Anatolia. Source: Anatolian Archaeology
8,500 Years of Sacred Heritage: Unearthing the Mysterious Sanctuaries of Herakleia
Ancient deities, mythological tales, and sacred architecture come to light in the Latmos Mountains as archaeological excavations unveil Herakleia’s hidden past. Source: Anatolian Archaeology
Brutal reality of Gallipoli Campaign revealed in doctor’s report from lone truce
A recently revealed wartime medical report from the Gallipoli Land Battles offers disturbing insight into the devastating toll of a major offensive in May 1915. Source: Türkiye Today
July 4, 2025
757-year-old stolen manuscript returned to Konya after quarter-century
A 757-year-old handwritten Islamic manuscript, Kitab Sherh al-Asma, has been returned to its place of origin in Konya, central Türkiye, after being stolen 25 years ago. The manuscript, originally penned in 1268 by the Islamic scholar Ibn al-Burjan, had been missing since a theft at the Yusuf Aga Manuscript Library in the year 2000. Source: Türkiye Today
Tracing the Millennia-Long Journey of Obsidian from Bitlis to the Levant
A new archaeological project led by Bitlis Eren University (BEU) aims to uncover the ancient trade and cultural pathways that carried obsidian from the volcanic mountains of Bitlis, Türkiye, to the heart of the Middle East thousands of years ago. Source: Anatolian Archaeology
Excavations Resume at Kurul Fortress, Home to the 2,100-Year-Old Mother Goddess Cybele Statue
Kurul Fortress, perched atop the historic heights of Ordu, has earned its place in archaeological literature as the site where the remarkable 2,100-year-old Mother Goddess Cybele statue was uncovered. Now, the ongoing excavations are preparing to enter their 16th season. Source: Anatolian Archaeology
Türkiye’s sacred site Göbeklitepe draws global fascination
Göbeklitepe, the ancient sanctuary in southeastern Türkiye and a UNESCO World Heritage site, has become the cornerstone of regional tourism, drawing millions of people worldwide. Source: Daily Sabah
July 5, 2025
Archaeologists from 25 countries unearth traces of early civilization at Kültepe
Joint efforts of Turkish and international scholars in the archaeological excavations at the Kültepe Kaniş-Karum mound in the Central Anatolian province of Kayseri are shedding light on Anatolian and world history. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
2,200-Year-Old Statue Caught in Fishermen’s Net Now on Display at Marmaris Museum
A 2,200-year-old bronze statue of a woman, accidentally discovered by fishermen off the coast of Muğla’s Marmaris district in Türkiye, is now on display for the first time at the Marmaris Museum. Source: Anatolian Archaeology
July 6, 2025
2,000-Year-Old Shops and Stoa Unearthed in Patara, the Capital of the Ancient Lycian League
Archaeologists have uncovered a remarkable new section of the ancient city of Patara, located in Türkiye’s Antalya province, revealing a series of 2,000-year-old shops and a stoa (colonnaded walkway) near the city’s monumental gate. Once the capital of the Lycian League, one of the earliest known democratic federations in history, Patara continues to captivate with its historical depth and architectural legacy. Source: Anatolian Archaeology
1,500-Year-Old Baptistery Unearthed in Ancient City of Tyana
Ongoing excavations in the ancient city of Tyana, located in Kemerhisar town of Bor district in Niğde, Türkiye, continue to reveal stunning insights into the region’s rich historical heritage. The latest discovery is a remarkably well-preserved baptistery believed to be over 1,500 years old. Source: Anatolian Archaeology
The World’s Oldest Known House Model, Dating Back 12,000 Years, Is on Display in Türkiye
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. Source: Anatolian Archaeology
Ancient Tomb Discovered at Urfa Castle: Could It Belong to the Abgar Dynasty?
Archaeological excavations at the historic Urfa Castle in southeastern Türkiye have led to a remarkable discovery that may shed new light on the region’s ancient past. A rock-cut tomb dating back to Late Antiquity has been uncovered on Dambak Hill, just south of the iconic Balıklıgöl. Experts believe the tomb may be linked to the ancient Kingdom of Osroene—also known as the Abgar Dynasty. Source: Anatolian Archaeology
July 7, 2025
Historic chapel unearthed in Fethiye Castle set to be restored for tourism
A recently uncovered chapel within the centuries-old Fethiye Castle in southwestern Türkiye is undergoing restoration as part of broader efforts to open the site to tourism. Source: Türkiye Today
2,000-year-old pool in Tralleis ancient city to be refilled
Excavations at the ancient city of Tralleis, located in the Efeler district of Türkiye’s western province of Aydın, are on the cusp of a major milestone: The restoration of a 2,000-year-old Roman-era pool. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Discovery of 1,500-Year-Old Mosaic at Ancient City of Dara in Mardin, Türkiye
According to information provided by Anadolu Agency, archaeologists have recently uncovered a remarkably well-preserved 1,500-year-old mosaic decorated with drop and wave motifs at the ancient city of Dara in the Artuklu district of Mardin, southeastern Türkiye. Source: Arkeonews
How nature and humans buried a thriving Roman harbour in ancient Anatolia
In a interdisciplinary study, scientists have uncovered how the once-thriving harbours of Elaiussa Sebaste—a prominent Roman and early Byzantine city on the southeastern coast of Türkiye—gradually disappeared due to both human activity and natural processes. Source: Türkiye Today
Archaeologists dig into possible traces of Trojan War in Türkiye’s legendary city
In the ancient city of Troy—listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and located in northwestern Türkiye—archaeologists have turned their focus this season to a specific goal: uncovering physical evidence that might be linked to the legendary Trojan War. Source: Türkiye Today
July 8, 2025
Uşak carpet returns home after 30 years
A nearly 500-year-old Uşak carpet has been returned to Türkiye after three decades abroad, Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy announced on July 6. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
1,500-year-old Roman mosaic unearthed in Türkiye's ancient city of Dara
Archaeologists have uncovered a remarkably well-preserved Roman mosaic estimated to be around 1,500 years old in the ancient city of Dara, located near the city of Mardin in southeastern Türkiye. The mosaic, featuring intricate wave and drop motifs, was discovered in the agora—the central market area—of this fortified settlement originally built by the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire to defend its eastern frontier against the Sasanian Empire. Source: Türkiye Today
July 9, 2025
1,600-Year-Old Rare Greek Letter-Shaped Weights and Scale Found in Türkiye’s Uzuncaburç
Archaeologists have made a significant discovery at the ancient city of Uzuncaburç in Türkiye’s southern Mersin province — a complete set of iron weights shaped like ancient Greek letters, along with a Roman-era balance scale dating back around 1,600 years. Source: Arkeonews
July 10, 2025
Where Apollo once echoed─Türkiye to restore Letoon’s ancient theater
In Türkiye’s southwestern Mugla province, archaeological teams have launched a restoration project for the ancient theater within the Letoon Sanctuary, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988. Source: Türkiye Today
Hidden Gods of Kurul Castle: Dionysus and Pan Figurines Capture Spotlight as Dig Resumes
Excavations are set to resume next week at the ancient Kurul Castle in Ordu, the first scientifically excavated archaeological site in Türkiye’s Eastern Black Sea region. Source: Arkeonews
July 11, 2025
Termessos reveals its secrets with first-ever excavation
The ancient city of Termessos in the southern province of Antalya has launched its first systematic archaeological excavations this year. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
July 12, 2025
Mosaic Discovered in Illegal Dig in Zile Points to Ancient Roman Public Structure
Zile, a district in the Tokat province of northern Türkiye, has long been recognized as one of Anatolia’s most historically rich settlements. With a history dating back nearly 900,000 years, Zile has served as a cradle for numerous civilizations, including the Hittites, Phrygians, and Romans. Source: Arkeonews
Archaeologists Trace Hittite Culinary Culture at Uşaklı Höyük Excavations
In the village of Büyük Taşlık, located in the Sorgun district of Yozgat, central Türkiye, archaeologists at the Uşaklı Höyük excavation site are uncovering vital clues about the ancient culinary traditions of the Hittites. From charred seeds to cooking utensils, these findings are shedding light on how this Bronze Age civilization cooked and ate—offering insights that resonate even with today’s kitchens. Source: Anatolian Archaeology
July 14, 2025
Sardis, Lydian Tumuli included in UNESCO World Heritage List
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. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Archaeologists Discover Centuries-Old Prayer Tablet and Ottoman-Era Treasures in Eastern Türkiye
Archaeologists working at the historic Bitlis Castle in eastern Türkiye have unearthed a rare centuries-old prayer tablet along with Ottoman-era coins, ceramic fragments, an ancient water distribution system, and several graves. The discovery is shedding new light on the region’s diverse religious and cultural history. Source: Anatolian Archaeology
Ancient Roman Bathhouse Discovered Beneath Farmland in Eastern Anatolia
Archaeologists have uncovered a 1,700-year-old Ancient Roman bathhouse in a field in the village of Salkaya, located in Elazığ province in eastern Anatolia. The discovery, which was made possible through ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and systematic excavations, offers valuable insights into the region’s Roman past and is believed to have belonged to an elite social class of the Late Roman Empire. Source: Anatolian Archaeology
July 15, 2025
Byzantine-era graves unearthed in Heraclea
Excavations in the ancient city of Heraclea near the southwestern town of Milas have uncovered many Byzantine-era graves of children and adults, as well as burial goods, archaeologists have announced. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
6,000-Year-Old Temple with Blood Channel and Altar Unearthed in Eastern Türkiye
Archaeologists have discovered a 6,000-year-old temple site during ongoing excavations in the village of Tadım, located in Elazığ Province, eastern Türkiye. The site, dating back to the Late Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Age, reveals one of the earliest known examples of ritual architecture in the Upper Euphrates Basin. Source: Arkeonews
Monumental columns discovered at Urartian Castle
Archaeologists have unearthed 49 monumental columns known as “elephant feet” during excavations at Kef Castle, a 2,700-year-old Urartian fortress situated at the foot of Mount Süphan in the Adilcevaz district of Bitlis province. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
2025 Excavation Season Begins at Antandros Ancient City: Focus on Early Christian Baptistery
The 2025 excavation season has officially started at the ancient city of Antandros, located in the Edremit district of Balıkesir, Türkiye. Led by Prof. Dr. Gürcan Polat, a faculty member at Ege University’s Department of Classical Archaeology, the excavation team continues to uncover the deep-rooted history of the site. Source: Anatolian Archaeology
July 16, 2025
A quarter of Perinthos' ancient theater unveiled
Excavations continue in the 5,000-year-old ancient city of Perinthos in the Marmaraereğlisi district of the northwestern province of Tekirdağ, where archaeologists have focused their efforts this year on unearthing a massive ancient theater. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Historic Marcus Aurelius statue set to arrive in Türkiye on July 18
After being taken abroad illegally many years ago, the statue of Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius is finally on its way back to Türkiye on July 18, Friday. Source: Türkiye Today
New Troy Excavation Yields Fresh Evidence of Epic War
Turkish archaeologists have uncovered compelling evidence of ancient warfare at the legendary city of Troy, discovering thousands of 3,500-year-old sling stones and weapons that may finally prove Homer's epic Iliad was based on real events. Source: Ancient Origins
A First in Türkiye: Hands-On Bioarchaeology Workshop at Arslantepe Mound Begins
Arslantepe Mound, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the Battalgazi district of Malatya, is hosting Turkey’s first-ever hands-on bioarchaeology workshop. Running from July 11 to July 25, 2025, this scientific training program marks a milestone in archaeological education in the country. Source: Anatolian Archaeology
July 17, 2025
Nemrut statues to be preserved with nano-lime method
The symbolic statues on Mount Nemrut, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, are being preserved with a nano-lime technique following successful trials conducted in 2022 as part of ongoing restoration and conservation efforts. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Four Hittite generations depicted on rare stele
A rare Late Hittite artifact known as the İspekçir Stele is on display at the Sivas Archaeology Museum, offering a glimpse into four generations of Hittite lineage through hieroglyphic inscriptions and carved figures. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
July 18, 2025
Excavations continue at six locations in Ani
Excavations are being carried out at six locations in the Ani Ruins, a UNESCO World Heritage site in the eastern province of Kars, to unearth both immovable and movable historical artifacts buried beneath the soil. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Antalya Archaeological Museum closed for renovations
The Antalya Archaeological Museum has been closed to visitors as part of a major redevelopment project led by the Culture and Tourism Ministry. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
6,000-year-old temple unearthed in eastern Türkiye from Chalcolithic Age
Archaeologists working in eastern Türkiye have uncovered a 6,000-year-old temple believed to be the earliest religious structure ever discovered in the Elazig region. The excavation, carried out at Tadim Fortress and Mound, offers rare insights into the ceremonial, social, and urban development of one of Anatolia’s oldest known settlements. Source: Türkiye Today
Antalya Archaeology Museum closed—new design inspired by ancient Perge
The Antalya Archaeology Museum, one of the leading cultural institutions in southern Türkiye, is set to be completely rebuilt following a structural risk assessment that revealed the building was vulnerable to earthquakes. The new museum, designed with modern architectural principles and inspired by the ancient city of Perge, will rise on the same site with an estimated investment of up to ₺2.5 billion (approximately $62 million). Source: Türkiye Today
July 21, 2025
Late Bronze Age storage complex uncovered at Yassi Hoyuk in southeastern Türkiye
Archaeological work at Yassi Hoyuk, a settlement mound in the Afsin district of southeastern Türkiye, has brought to light a large architectural structure and stone-built silos dating back to the Late Bronze Age, a time associated with the Hittite civilization. Source: Türkiye Today
July 22, 2025
Ancient rock-cut tombs and Bronze Age settlement traces uncovered in southeastern Türkiye
Adiyaman's Besni district has become the focus of new archaeological interest following the discovery of previously undocumented burial structures and settlement layers in the rural area of the village of Comak. The site, which extends across approximately 50 hectares, is now under close examination by the local authorities. Source: Türkiye Today
Mystery of Ayanis Castle’s rooms investigated
Archaeologists are continuing to explore the secrets of the Haldi Temple complex at Ayanis Castle in eastern Türkiye, where bronze weapons believed to be dedicated to the Urartian chief deity Haldi were found last year. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
July 24, 2025
Urartian burial customs unearthed in Türkiye reveal signs of women's status, social traditions
Archaeologists working in eastern Türkiye’s Van province are shedding new light on the social and spiritual life of the Urartian civilization through discoveries made at a large Iron Age necropolis. The site lies just north of Cavustepe Castle, a fortress built by Urartian King Sarduri II in the eighth century BCE. Source: Türkiye Today
Archaeologists working at the ancient Hittite settlement of Kayalıpınar, located in Türkiye’s Sivas province, have uncovered a remarkably well-preserved clay tablet containing a bird omen text, shedding new light on the role of divination in Hittite religious and political life. Source: Arkeonews
July 27, 2025
1,400-Year-Old Bronze Cauldron Discovered in Pergamon’s ‘Mosaic House’
A remarkable archaeological discovery has been made in the ancient city of Pergamon (modern-day Bergama) in Turkey’s İzmir Province. Excavations at the UNESCO World Heritage-listed site revealed a 1,400-year-old bronze cauldron, found in a pool within the courtyard of the so-called “Mosaic House,” a significant Roman-era building complex. Source: Arkeonews
July 28, 2025
Before Rome, Before Greece: Anatolia’s Oldest Glass Revealed in Hittite Büklükale
Nestled along the western bank of the Kızılırmak River in central Turkey, the archaeological site of Büklükale continues to astonish researchers with its wealth of ancient artifacts. Among the most remarkable finds from this mid-second-millennium BCE settlement are some of the earliest known examples of glass craftsmanship in Anatolia—revealing the Hittites’ sophisticated material culture and cross-regional influences. Source: Arkeonews
July 29, 2025
12,000-Year-Old Grid-Plan Structures and Water Channel Discovered at Çayönü Mound
New Neolithic-era discoveries at Çayönü in southeastern Türkiye, dating back to approximately 10,200–6,500 BCE, include four grid-plan buildings and a Bronze Age (c. 3100–1100 BCE) water channel. Excavations reveal rich cultural layers spanning over millennia and early evidence of urban planning, metallurgy, and copper craftsmanship. Source: Arkeonews
Neolithic village uncovered on Gokceada shows first signs of farming in Aegean region
Archaeological excavations on Gokceada, Türkiye’s largest island in the northern Aegean, have revealed the earliest known village settlement in the Aegean islands, where the food economy was based on farming and animal husbandry. Source: Türkiye Today
July 31, 2025
Why 37 museums across Türkiye are closed—what you need to know
Türkiye has temporarily closed 37 museums affiliated with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism for a wide range of structural, architectural, and curatorial upgrades. The shutdowns, mostly concentrated in cities heavily impacted by recent earthquakes or with aging infrastructure, include several major institutions such as the Istanbul Archaeological Museums, the Gaziantep Archaeology Museum, and the Hatay Archaeology Museum. Source: Türkiye Today
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