May 2024 saw several major archaeological discoveries made in the area of Turkey. In the western part of the country, the statue head of Hygieia, the Greek goddess of health, was found stuck between two rocks in Laodikeia while the excavations carried out in the ancient city of Smyrna in İzmir have unearthed figures and objects with Egyptian civilization influences. In the south of the coutry, a mosaic floor from the 2nd century BCE depicting the muse Kalliope was discovered in ancient city of Side. In the southeast, a 2000-year-old tomb protected by two bull heads was found during excavation and cleaning efforts in the ancient city of Tharsa, located near Kuyulu village on the Adıyaman-Şanlıurfa Highway. In the northwest, rescue excavations at the Reşitköy Dam site unearthed Roman structures, including a church, and a baptistery. Finally, in the same region of Turkey, renovation started in the historical Kaleiçi district of Edirne.
Turkish Archaeological News collects the most important, interesting and inspiring news from Turkish excavation sites. Here's the review for May 2024. Have we missed anything? Please let us know by using Contact tab!
May 1, 2024
Amisos Mosaic attracts great attention
The Amisos Mosaic, spanning 56 square meters and thought to originate from the third century A.D., is exhibited within a designated section at the Samsun Museum, along with its motifs of Achilles and Thetis. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Treasure hunters dig tunnel under tumulus
An ancient tumulus with burial chambers, which resemble Egypt’s pyramids in terms of their structure, has been destroyed by treasure hunters in search of gold. The Yaygın Pazar Tumulus, one of the important structures of ancient times located in the Muş Plain in the eastern province of Muş, held significant historical value and its destruction has sparked widespread outcry. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
May 3, 2024
Historic bath set to turn into gastronomy gallery
A historic bathhouse in the Sur district of the eastern province of Diyarbakır, known as Çardaklı Hamam, which was constructed between 1520 and 1540, is set to be transformed into a 'gastronomy gallery,' showcasing traditional foods following its restoration. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Renovation starts in historic Kaleiçi district
The historical Kaleiçi district, an old residential area in the northwestern province of Edirne and home to old mansions and grid-type streets, will be opened to tourism within the scope of a project initiated by the Governor’s Office. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
May 6, 2024
Night Museum project in Ephesus launched
Ephesus, which has been on UNESCO’s World Heritage List since 2015, is now open during nighttime hours thanks to the project. With the renewed lighting works, visitors have the opportunity to visit the 2,300-year-old ancient city after sunset. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
May 7, 2024
Mortars found at school construction site reveal history
The discovery of dozens of pieces of military ammunition during the construction works of a school in Istanbul has revealed that the area once housed an Ottoman-era arsenal and gunpowder factory. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
May 8, 2024
Kariye Mosque draws large crowd during inauguration week
The Kariye Mosque has reopened for worship after serving as a museum for 79 years, attracting a significant crowd during its inauguration week, with Muslims now praying in the section where the frescoes are veiled. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
May 18, 2024
2000-year-old tomb guarded by two bull heads found in Tharsa Ancient City, Türkiye
In Türkiye, archaeologists have discovered a new 2000-year-old tomb protected by two bull heads during excavation and cleaning efforts in the ancient city of Tharsa, located near Kuyulu village on the Adıyaman-Şanlıurfa Highway, now known as Turuş Rock Tombs. Source: Arkeonews
May 19, 2024
Roman-era structures unearthed in northwestern Turkiye dam site rescue excavations
Rescue excavations at the Reşitköy Dam site in the northwestern Turkiye province of Balıkesir have unearthed Roman structures, including a church, and a baptistery. Source: Arkeonews
May 20, 2024
One of the world’s earliest farming villages housed surprisingly few people
At a massive site in southern Turkey called Çatalhöyük, large numbers of multi-roomed, mud-brick structures cluster in several parts of a settlement that covers an area equivalent to nearly 26 U.S. football fields. Since its discovery in the 1960s, population estimates for the ancient settlement have ranged from 2,800 to 10,000. But an average of only 600 to 800 people lived at this farming and herding village during its heyday, around 8,600 years ago, two archaeologists conclude in the Journal of Anthropological Archaeology. Source: Science News
May 21, 2024
The statue head of Hygieia, the Greek goddess of health, found stuck between two rocks in Laodikeia
A 2100-year-old statue head of the Hygieia (Health) Goddess was found during the excavations in the ancient city of Laodikeia in Pamukkale, Denizli, southwestern Türkiye. Source: Arkeonews
Artifacts with Egyptian influence in Smyrna
Archaeological excavations carried out in the ancient city of Smyrna in İzmir have unearthed figures and objects with Egyptian civilization influences. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
May 23, 2024
Aizanoi: Excavations reveal ambitions of an aspiring metropolis
The excavations at the ancient city of Aizanoi have emerged as a testament to sophisticated early urbanism and economic systems of an aspiring Roman metropolis. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
May 24, 2024
During the excavations carried out in the ancient city of Side, a mosaic floor from the second century BC, depicting Kalliope, who inspired legends, was discovered. Source: Arkeonews
May 25, 2024
Roman Bath protected by glass terrace
The mosaics in the Roman Bath, located in the ancient city of Hadrianopolis in the Eskipazar district of Karabük, will be protected against external factors with a glass terrace. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
May 26, 2024
Anatolia’s first company was founded 4000 years ago with 15 kilos of gold
A 4,000-year-old tablet found in Kültepe shows that the first company in Anatolia was established by 12 people with 15 kilograms of gold. Source: Arkeonews
May 29, 2024
Çorum Museum takes visitors on historical journey
Çorum Museum, home to artifacts from eight civilizations, welcomes history enthusiasts. The 110-year-old museum, built as a hospital in 1914, is among outstanding architectural structures in the country. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
