The beginning of June 2024 brought the sad news of the passing of Sabine Ladstätter, the former head of the excavations of Ephesus. Meanwhile, the works in Ephesus continue, now headed by Martin Steskal, who has recently announced that this year's works are focussed on the Coressian Gate, one of the important city gates, and on the west side of the Serapis Temple. Moreover, the ancient city of Ephesus hosted some 130,000 people, becoming the most visited museum in Türkiye during the nine-day Eid holiday. After the initiation of the night museum project, Ephesus also welcomes its visitors during the night hours thanks to its lighting system.
Turkish Archaeological News collects the most important, interesting and inspiring news from Turkish excavation sites. Here's the review for June 2024. Have we missed anything? Please let us know by using Contact tab!
June 1, 2024
Mersin’s Anemurium ancient city aims for UNESCO recognition
The ancient port city of Anemurium, where continuous excavation and restoration efforts are shedding light on a civilization that dates back 2,000 years, will be proposed as a candidate for inclusion in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
June 4, 2024
In Memory of Sabine Landstatter
It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Sabine Landstatter, director of the Austrian Archaeological Institute and a corresponding member of the AIA. Source: Archaeological Institute of America AIA News
June 8, 2024
Restored sections of Topkapı Palace opened
One of the phased restoration works, carried out in the Harem (seraglio) section of Topkapı Palace by the Presidency of National Palaces, has been completed. The Concubines Courtyard (Cariyeler Taşlığı) and Bath and Kuşhane Kitchen were opened to visitors for the first time with their new arrangement. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
June 11, 2024
New Discoveries Made in World’s Oldest Ancient Shipyard
Associate Professor Hakan Öniz, who discovered the world’s largest and oldest shipyard dating back to the Bronze Age in 2015 in Mersin’s Silifke district off Dana Island in southern Türkiye, announced that they found new artifacts in the shipyard. He said that they had so far found a total of 294 ancient boatyards during their studies. Source: Arkeonews
Taksim Republic Museum opens door
The Republic Museum has opened at Istanbul’s Taksim Republic Square. Taksim Maksemi (cistern), one of the symbol buildings of the square, opened its doors on June 8 as the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) Republic Museum after a restoration and re-functional works of IBB Heritage. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
June 14, 2024
‘Voluntary archaeologists’ trace history in Ankara
Volunteer students in the capital Ankara's Çubuk district are carrying out excavation works to unearth the secrets of the historic Melikşah Bath, a Roman-era site famed for its medical practices. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
June 20, 2024
One of its kind, 1,500-year-old Roman ‘Lorica Squamata’ legion armor restored
The 1,500-year-old Roman ‘Lorica Squamata’ legion armor, the only known example in the world, found in the ancient city of Satala in the village of Sadak in the Kelkit district of Gümüşhane in the Black Sea region of Türkiye, was restored. Source: Arkeonews
Historical mosque, hospital’s ‘balance column’ moves again
The Divriği Great Mosque and Hospital (Darüşşifa), a UNESCO World Heritage site in the central province of Sivas, has seen a remarkable event, as its famous “balance column,” which stopped moving during an earthquake, has resumed its rotation following extensive restoration work. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Archeologists discover 3,300 year-old Hittite tablet in Kırıkkale
A team led by a Japanese archeologist has unearthed a 3,300-year-old tablet from the Hittite Empire, providing new insights into ancient religious ceremonies and foreign relations. Found at the Büklükale excavation site, located in the Karakeçili district of the Central Anatolian province of Kırıkkale, the tablet is notable for its mention of the Arzava king Tarhuntarado, a detail that illuminates the diplomatic and cultural exchanges of the era. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
June 21, 2024
Eskişehir’s hidden artifacts need protection
Kümbet village in the Seyitgazi district of the central province of Eskişehir, the history of which dates back to the Phrygians, is home to dozens of historical artifacts from different periods. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
June 29, 2024
Antalya unveils glass-floored observation terrace at Hıdırlık tower
Glass surfaces allowing visitors to view ancient ruins at the Hıdırlık tower in the southern province of Antalya have been completed within the scope of extensive restoration plans. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Türkiye's iconic Topkapı Palace to offer night tours for first time
The Topkapı Palace Museum will offer late tours for the first time since its inauguration in 1924, according to a statement made by the Directorate of National Palaces. The palace museum will be open to visits for an exclusive session offered between 9 to 11 p.m. (local time) on Saturdays. Source:Daily Sabah
