November 2023 in Turkish archaeology

The vast area of Hattusa, the capital of the Hittite civilization
The vast area of Hattusa, the capital of the Hittite civilization

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 Largest Ancient Floor Mosaic in Cappadocia and Central Anatolia Region Uncovered - 600 square meters

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

Footprints discovered in remains of Roman era bath's upper cover in ancient city of Stratonikeia in Mugla province

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