Turkish Archaeological News collects the most important, interesting and inspiring news from Turkish excavation sites. Here's the review for March 2017. Have we missed anything? Let us know by using Contact tab!
March 1, 2017
Bosnian library to restore and digitize Ottoman manuscripts
Almost ruined manuscripts and historical documents belonging to the Ottoman era will be restored and transferred to digital platforms with a new protocol between the Yunus Emre Institute and the Gazi Husrev-beg Library, the oldest library in the Balkans. Source: Daily Sabah
March 1, 2017
1,600-year-old Byzantine mosaics in Kilis to attract tourists
Early Byzantine mosaics unearthed in 1999 in the southern Turkish city of Kilis are ready to be showcased to tourists. Source: Daily Sabah
March 10, 2017
Uzunköprü Bridge applies for UNESCO’s Tangible Cultural Heritage List
The Uzunköprü Bridge, which crosses over the Ergene River in in western Turkey, is expected to be included on UNESCO's Tangible Cultural Heritage List, as the Edirne Municipality has submitted all the necessary documents to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Source: Daily Sabah
March 14, 2017
Goddess statue, 2,100-year-old castle threatened by dynamite in Turkey's north
A sculpture of the mother goddess of Kybele is threatened by explosions that occur on a daily basis on the outskirts of the 2,100-year-old Kurul Castle, which dates back to the age of Mithridates VI, a king of Pontus and Armenia Minor in northern Anatolia from about 120 to 63 B.C., in the Black Sea province of Ordu. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Museum sheds light on Turkish cinema, theater history
The Türker İnanoğlu Foundation (TÜRVAK) Cinema-Theater Museum, established in 2000 with the 60-year accumulation of veteran director Türker İnanoğlu, sheds light on over 100 years of Turkish cinema and theater. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Roof of Istanbul's iconic Grand Bazaar undergoes renovation
Atop Istanbul's iconic Grand Bazaar -- the scene of a high-speed motorbike chase in the 2012 James Bond film "Skyfall" -- a full force drive to revamp it has begun. Source: Daily Sabah
March 15, 2017
Turkish manuscripts in French National Library digitized
The Yunus Emre Institute and the French National Library have collaborated for a comprehensive project for the preservation and digitization of Ottoman manuscripts, most of which dates back to the 17th century. Source: Daily Sabah
March 16, 2017
Historical Ottoman document displayed in northern Lebanon’s Batroun
A total of 1,000 historical documents from the Ottoman era are being displayed in an exhibition in northern Lebanon's coastal city of Batroun. Source: Daily Sabah
March 17, 2017
Shadow of progress falls on Istanbul’s historic vegetable gardens
In 2013 more than 20 acres of gardens, including the 17th-century İsmail Paşa gardens inside the Yedikule walls, were cleared and replaced with sports grounds, car parks and walk ways. Today, much of the surrounding areas are left derelict. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
March 20, 2017
Anatolian borders of Assyrian Empire revealed at Tushhan Mound
The Ziyaret Tepe Mound in Diyarbakır's Bismil district continues to reveal remnants of the Assyrian civilization dating back to the 9th century B.C, with the ongoing excavation as part of an joint project by Marmara University and Cambridge University. Source: Daily Sabah
March 21, 2017
Harput relief changes region’s history
Examinations on a relief that was discovered by chance in the eastern province of Elazığ’s Harput district have revealed that the artwork dates back 4,000 years ago – indicating that the region’s history dates back a full 1,000 years more than originally believed. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
March 22, 2017
Roman tunnel and inn to become tourism spot
The Titus Tunnel and Beşikli Inn in the southern province of Hatay’s Samandağ district, which has a rich cultural heritage, are expected to host more tourists with a new project. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Aigai artifacts on display at Louvre
Artifacts that were unearthed in 1882 by French researcher Michel Armand Clerc in the ancient city of Aigai in the western province of Manisa are currently being displayed at Paris’ Louvre Museum. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
March 23, 2017
'Lady agha' house of Republic period to become tourist attraction
Located in the historically-rich area of the ancient city of Stratonikea in Muğla province, the ‘lady agha house' is undergoing a renovation project to enliven tourist interest in the house which is included in UNESCO's tentative World Heritage List. Source: Daily Sabah
March 24, 2017
Ancient sarcophagus to be returned to Turkey nearly 60 years after it was stolen
An ancient sarcophagus smuggled out of Turkey in the 1960s could soon be on its way home after a decision from Swiss prosecutors on Friday. Source: Daily Sabah
March 27, 2017
3 arrested for selling ancient artifacts in Istanbul
Three people, including a foreign national were arrested for allegedly selling 121 historical artifacts from the Roman, Byzantium and Hellenistic periods in Istanbul, reports said Monday. Source: Daily Sabah
March 29, 2017
Court bans rock quarry near Kybele sculpture
An administrative court in the Black Sea province of Ordu has ruled that a quarry cannot be constructed in the vicinity of the Kurul Castle that features a unique sculpture of the mother goddess Kybele following concerns that explosions could damage the artifact. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
March 31, 2017
Ancient tomb discovered in western Turkey’s Muğla
A tomb from antiquity has been discovered and placed under protection in the Ula district of western Turkey's Muğla province. Source: Daily Sabah
March 31, 2017
2 thousand-year-old wall to be restored in western Turkey’s Iznik
The Istanbul Gate, a 4,790-meter long wall located in western Turkey's Iznik will undergo a massive restoration project to protect the integrity of the structure, according to a statement from the Bursa Metropolitan Municipality. Source: Daily Sabah
