In November 2023, several major archaeological discoveries were announced in the area of Turkey. In the southeastern region, in Zerzevan Castle, the archaeologists uncovered the remains of the entrance gate to a Temple of Mithras. In Cappadocia, the largest floor mosaic of Central Anatolia Region was unearthed during the excavations carried out in Örenşehir District. In the same region of the country, a 4,300-year-old braided mat was found in the Kültepe Kaniş Karum ruins. Finally, an ivory-decorated piece, estimated to be approximately 2,800 years old, was found during the archaeological excavation in the Hattusa ancient city in Çorum Province.
Turkish Archaeological News collects the most important, interesting and inspiring news from Turkish excavation sites. Here's the review for November 2023. Have we missed anything? Let us know by using Contact tab!
November 8, 2023
New discovery in Roman-era military garrison, Zerzevan Castle
The remains of the entrance gate to a temple, where Mithrasists are believed to have spent the night once a year, have been found in Diyarbakır Province. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
November 9, 2023
Gymnasium, new favorite in Side
Significant structures in the ancient city of Side, located in the southern province of Antalya, have been revived during restoration works, with the city's Gymnasium (ancient school) standing out as one of the favorite sites of visitors coming to the region. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
November 10, 2023
Turkey opens new archaeology institute in quake-hit city
The Є7.5mn Turkish Archaeology and Cultural Heritage Institute, which officially opened on 25 October in a 19th-century defunct Armenian Catholic church in the city of Gaziantep, brings an advanced research facility to a region of the country where excavations at Neolithic sites Gobekli Tepe and Karahan Tepe have disrupted the paradigm on the beginnings of civilisation. Source: The Art Newspaper
November 12, 2023
The structure with the largest floor mosaic in Cappadocia and Central Anatolia Region was unearthed during the excavations carried out in Örenşehir District of İncesu district of Kayseri province, located in the center of Türkiye. Source: Arkeonews
November 13, 2023
Female statue found in Anemurium
A Roman-era female statue unearthed in the ancient city of Anemurium in southern Türkiye is an exciting find for the archaeology team. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
November 14, 2023
A unique 2,800-year-old ivory-decorated piece was discovered in the Ancient City of Hattusa
An ivory-decorated piece, estimated to be approximately 2,800 years old, was found during the archaeological excavation in the Hattusa Ancient City in Çorum, the heart of Turkey. Source: Arkeonews
1,600-year-old seeds found in ancient kitchen
The kitchen section of a structure has been unearthed during excavations that have been going on for 20 years in the ancient city of Hadrianopolis in the Eskipazar district of Karabük. Examinations in the kitchen revealed seeds from 1,600 years ago. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Child footprints, dating thousands of years, have been brought to light in excavations in the ancient city of Stratonikeia in western Türkiye. Source: Anadolu Agency
November 16, 2023
A 4,300-year-old mat found in Kültepe
A 4,300-year-old braided mat has been found in the Kültepe Kaniş Karum Ruins, which dates back 6,000 years in Central Anatolia and is home to the first written tablets of Anatolia. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
November 17, 2023
Lion mosaic latest find in Konuralp ancient city
Following the recent Alexander the Great statue that was found in September in the ancient city of Prusias ad Hypium in the Konuralp district of Düzce, where excavations have been ongoing for four years, a lion mosaic was unearthed in a room discovered during the excavations. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
November 21, 2023
Antalya’s unique houses under restoration
Antalya’s historical Düğmeli (buttoned) houses, some of which serve as hotels and souvenir shops, are undergoing restoration works with the support of the Culture and Tourism Ministry. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
November 22, 2023
Rifle of Lawrence of Arabia on display in Istanbul
One of the rifles, which belongs to an officer named Thomas Edward Lawrence, also known as Lawrence of Arabia, who spied for the United Kingdom during World War I in the Middle East and played an important role in the rebellions against the Ottoman Empire in the region during the same period, is on display in Istanbul. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
November 23, 2023
Millions of years old fossils on display
The elephant, rhinoceros, horse and giraffe fossils found in the excavations carried out since 2018 on the shores of the Yamula Dam are on display in the foyer area of the Kayseri Metropolitan Municipality with their replicas. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Rare 2,500-year-old saw discovered during excavations in Türkiye
Archaeologists discovered a 2,250-year-old saw during excavations at the ancient Hittite city of Hattusha in Türkiye’s central Çorum province. Source: Daily Sabah
November 29, 2023
Ancient skulls show signs of brain surgery
Evidence of brain surgery has been found on the skulls of 30 of some 400 skeletons unearthed during the excavations carried out in the necropolis (cemetery) area in the eastern province of Van's Çatak district. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
November 30, 2023
Emperor Traian reunited with Monumental Fountain
The Monumental Fountain, built in the ancient city of Laodicea in the western province of Denizli, has been restored to its original form as a result of two years of work. The fountain was built in antiquity by Emperor Traian, who approved the world's first Water Law, but was destroyed by an earthquake. A statue of Emperor Traian was also placed in the historical fountain after 1,910 years. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
