June 2017 in Turkish archaeology

Topkapi Palace in Istanbul
Topkapi Palace in Istanbul

Turkish Archaeological News collects the most important, interesting and inspiring news from Turkish excavation sites. Here's the review for June 2017. Have we missed anything? Let us know by using Contact tab!

June 1, 2017

High-tech backed repair begins at Topkapı Palace

After a number of scientific reports raised the alarm that Istanbul’s historic Topkapı Palace is sliding steadily toward the sea, officials have launched a restoration effort that is planned to take around three decades. Source: Hürriyet Daily News

Gravestone of Ancient Roman couple stirs interest in Malatya

A gravestone dating back almost 2,000 years, which a Roman-era man named Claudius Amiantus made for himself and the memory of his wife Iphigenia, is currently drawing great interest at the Archaeology Museum in the eastern province of Malatya. Source: Hürriyet Daily News

June 2, 2017

Ancient slingshot stones ‘were aerodynamic,’ dig reveals

Archaeological excavations on the Aktopraklık Mound in the northwestern province of Bursa’s Nilüfer district have unearthed 8,500-year-old stones that were used for slingshots which boasted a throwing mechanism that is today known as the Palestinian slingshot. Source: Hürriyet Daily News

June 3, 2017

Ancient monumental grave under agricultural field in Mardin

The monumental grave of ancient Greek astrologist and philosopher Aratos, which is inside the ancient city of Soli Poempiopolis in the southern Turkish province of Mersin’s Mezitli district, is currently used as an agricultural field, underneath a large greenhouse. Source: Hürriyet Daily News

Ancient underground city with 52 chambers discovered in Turkey's Kayseri

An ancient underground city with 52 chambers has been discovered in Turkey's central Kayseri province after shepherds and local residents informed authorities about a cave in the area, reports said Saturday. The city is expected to be opened to tourism and welcome tourists. Source: Daily Sabah

100-year-old shipwreck discovered in Gulf of Izmir

Researchers have discovered a 100-year-old shipwreck in the Gulf of Izmir off Çiğli district, Izmir Metropolitan Municipality said Saturday. The shipwreck is thought to be one of the Greek vessels leaving the city following the Greco-Turkish War. Source: Daily Sabah

June 7, 2017

Turkey’s Siirt calls for restoration of 900-year-old monastery

Only a few walls remain of the historic Mor Yakup Monastery in southeastern Turkey's Siirt province, but the city's Tourism Promotion Association President Vehip Emrah is calling for its restoration. Source: Daily Sabah

June 8, 2017

6th-century priest sculpture stolen from museum in southwestern Turkey

The 6th-century sculpture of a priest has been stolen from a museum in the Yalvaç district of the southwestern Turkish province of Isparta. Source: Daily Sabah

Mardin Castle may be opened to tourism

The 3,000-year-old Mardin Castle, known as the Eagle’s Nest but closed to visitors as it serves as a military base as part of a protocol with NATO, may be the latest addition to a list of tourist attractions, Doğan News Agency has reported. Source: Hürriyet Daily News

June 11, 2017

7,500 year-old drill bit found at prehistoric village in Turkey’s Bursa province

A 7,500-year-old pointed flint stone resembling modern-day drill bits has been discovered at a prehistoric village in Turkey's northwestern Bursa province, reports said Sunday. Source: Daily Sabah

June 12, 2017

5,000-year-old ceramic tradition revived

Ceramic production in Van, which dates back to the Urartu Kingdom, is being revived by the Ceramic Workshop Application Project in the village of Bardakçı, supported by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism's General Directorate of Fine Arts. Source: Daily Sabah

60 million-year-old marine fossils found in northern Turkey

A scientist discovered 60 million-year-old marine fossils Monday during geological research at Ilgaz Mountain in northern Turkey. Source: Daily Sabah

Turkey’s Hatay to host world’s largest mosaics museum

The Hatay Archaeology Museum in southern Turkey is slated to host the world's largest collection of mosaics following the planned inauguration of a new section of the facility. Source: Daily Sabah

June 16, 2017

Restoration starts in Seljuk graveyard

Excavation, restoration and conservation work has started in the historic Seljuk graveyard in the eastern province of Bitlis’ Ahlat, which is currently on UNESCO’s World Heritage tentative list. Source: Hürriyet Daily News

June 19, 2017

2,700-year-old ancient fountain in Old İzmir still active

Although it is hard to come by these days, good news that extends beyond the supernatural has come from the Old İzmir excavation site located in İzmir's Bayraklı district, where a 2,700 year-old ancient fountain is still active and in good condition. Source: Daily Sabah

Traces of measures against quakes seen in Troy

The issue of earthquake returned to prominence again last week after a 6.2-magnitude quake shook İzmir’s Karaburun coast, again raising fears about Turkey’s level of preparation for a massive temblor. Now, new findings suggest the question also vexed the minds of Trojan engineers and architects around three millennia ago. Source: Hürriyet Daily News

1,600-year-old mosaic found in Turkey’s Adıyaman

A mosaic structure dating back to the 4th century has been found in the Gölbaşı district of the eastern Turkish province of Adıyaman. Source: Hürriyet Daily News

June 21, 2017

Turkish Hercules on display in Geneva

A Roman-era sarcophagus of Hercules is currently on display in Geneva, Switzerland, but will return to its home in the Mediterranean province of Antalya following a Swiss court ruling in 2015. Source: Hürriyet Daily News

June 22, 2017

Turkish farmer discovers 10-meter-long mosaic dating back to 5th century

A Turkish farmer on Thursday discovered a 10-meter-long mosaic piece depicting different figures and writings which is believed to date back to Roman times in 5th century A.D. in southeastern Adıyaman province. Source: Daily Sabah

Smugglers caught with 2,500-year-old artifacts from Turkey’s Knidos

Three smugglers who stole artifacts from the ancient city of Knidos in Turkey's western Datça district have been caught red-handed by police. Source: Daily Sabah

June 23, 2017

Ancient road found in Termessos ancient city

A 2,300-year-old ancient road has been unearthed in the ancient city of Termessos in the southern province of Antalya. Source: Hürriyet Daily News

Archaeologists discover million-year-old stone artifacts in Turkey’s Tunceli

Turkish archaeologists have unearthed stone artifacts in eastern Tunceli province that date back to the earliest era of humankind. Source: Daily Sabah

June 24, 2017

Mosque, Symbol of Antalya's conquest, being restored

Antalya's Kesik Minare Mosque, an 800 year-old treasure that symbolizes the conquest of the city, will undergo its first restoration in 122 years. Source: Daily Sabah

Amasra Museum becomes center for int’l researchers

The Amasra Museum, which has opened after a three-year restoration work with a cost of 3 million Turkish Liras, has become an international application center for archaeologists, engineers, architects and academics and an education center providing history and archaeology education for students. Source: Hürriyet Daily News

Koç University reveals the “Curious Case of Çatalhöyük”

Koç University’s Research Center for Anatolian Civilizations has opened the exhibition “The Curious Case of Çatalhöyük,” celebrating the 25th excavation season of the Çatalhöyük Research Project. Source: Hürriyet Daily News

Sümela Monastery's Hagia Varvara Church restored for tourism

The inactive Hagia Varvara Church on the pathway to the historic Sümela Monastery, located in the Maçka district of Trabzon, will open for tourism after restoration and surveying work by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Source: Daily Sabah

June 25, 2017

Mosaic found in Adıyaman field

A farmer in the southeastern province of Adıyaman’s Besni district, Mehmet Dağ, has uncovered a 10-meter mosaic dating back to the 5th century B.C. Roman era. Officials have taken the mosaic to Şanlıurfa. Source: Hürriyet Daily News

June 27, 2017

Treasure hunters destroy historic hill in Turkey's Antalya

Treasure hunters have destroyed the Çağman Hill in the southern province of Antalya’s Korkuteli district. Source: Hürriyet Daily News

June 30, 2017

Artifacts in ancient Tripolis show that backgammon dates back 2,000 years

Archaeological excavations in the western province of Denizli’s Buldan district have unearthed many finds related to “ludus duodecim scriptorum,” a Roman-era version of the popular game backgammon. Source: Hürriyet Daily News