The results of archaeological excavations from the area of Türkiye announced in October 2024 shed light on various aspects of everyday life in ancient Asia Minor. The dietary habits were revealed at the 9,000-year-old Yumuktepe Hoyuk in Mersin where the oldest remains of a new type of ancient wheat were unearthed. The excavations at the ancient site of Assos, located in Canakkale’s Ayvacik district, have brought to light 1,700-year-old ceramic chamber pots that were discarded after use. Finally, the works in the ancient city of Savatra, in Konya, uncovered infant skeletons buried inside clay pots.
Turkish Archaeological News collects the most important, interesting and inspiring news from Turkish excavation sites. Here's the review for October 2024. Have we missed anything? Please let us know by using Contact tab!
October 1, 2024
Ottoman bath discovered in ancient Roman theater
As the restoration and excavation efforts continue at the Ancient Roman Theater and Archaeopark project in Ankara's Ulus district, archaeologists have uncovered an Ottoman bath and tannery. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Excavations at Alexander the Great’s castle in Türkiye uncover 500-year-old system
Bitlis Castle, located in eastern Türkiye and known as Alexander the Great’s castle, continues to reveal its historical significance as ongoing excavations, which have been running for 20 years, uncovered a 500-year-old water pipe system. Source: Türkiye Today
Hidden in plain sight: Tomb of Seljuk sultan opens for visitors in Sivas, Türkiye
Thousands pass by it daily, but few realize that the tomb of one of the most significant Seljuk sultans, Sultan Izzeddin Keykavus, is hidden within the historic Sifahiye Madrasa in Sivas. Source: Türkiye Today
2,000-year-old columns in Türkiye’s ancient city of Syedra re-erected
In a significant restoration effort at the ancient city of Syedra, in Alanya, Antalya, 46 columns dating back 2,000 years have been re-erected. Source: Türkiye Today
Thracian secrets uncovered in Türkiye’s ancient city of Hera
Archaeological excavations in the Heraion-Teikhos (City of Hera) Ancient City, ongoing since 2000, have unearthed significant traces of the Thracians, an ancient civilization known for their influence on world cultural history. Source: Türkiye Today
October 2, 2024
Turkish village keeps ancient Roman bathhouse tradition alive
Women from the village of Ilisu in Amasya, Türkiye, maintain a centuries-old tradition of washing clothes in a 28°C thermal spring bath built during the Roman era. Source: Türkiye Today
Ancient wheat discovery sheds light on Anatolia’s agricultural heritage
Ongoing excavations at the 9,000-year-old Yumuktepe Hoyuk in Mersin unearthed the oldest remains of a new type of ancient wheat, discovered exclusively in Anatolia. Source: Türkiye Today
How Germany nearly acquired Türkiye’s priceless artifacts in 1913
A new revelation has surfaced regarding Germany’s 1913 attempt to seize priceless artifacts from the Istanbul Archaeological Museum. Source: Türkiye Today
Asarkale dig sheds light on Hellenistic to Ottoman Türkiye
Excavations at Asarkale in Samsun’s Bafra district, initiated this year, are set to shed light on the region’s history from the Hellenistic period through to the Ottoman era. Source: Türkiye Today
October 3, 2024
Fountain of ancient era under restoration
Excavation and restoration works continue on the Monumental Fountain (Nymphaeum), which is located in the Side district of the southern province of Antalya, one of Türkiye's world-renowned tourist destinations and attracts millions of visitors each year. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Temple of Athena restored after centuries
One of Türkiye’s most famous landmarks, the Apollo Temple in the southern Turkish town of Side, continues to attract visitors from around the world. Now, the nearby Temple of Athena is also being revived during its ongoing excavation and restoration works. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Intriguing discovery in Türkiye’s Canakkale: 1,700-year-old chamber pots unearthed
Excavations at the ancient site of Assos, located in Canakkale’s Ayvacik district, have brought to light 1,700-year-old ceramic chamber pots that were discarded after use. This significant discovery provides insights into the daily lives of people in the region during the Late Roman era. Source: Türkiye Today
October 5, 2024
Tralleis ancient city to open for tourism in 2025
Works are ongoing across several ancient cities in Türkiye as preparations move forward to open more historic sites to tourism, including the ancient city of Tralleis in the western province of Aydın which is expected to be opened to visitors in 2025. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
October 7, 2024
Turkish ancient city Syedra in Antalya prepares for night tourism
The historical Syedra Ancient City, located in Antalya’s Alanya district, is making significant progress toward becoming a night tourism destination. Source: Türkiye Today
Excavations in Türkiye reveal 9,000-year-old settlement
Excavations at Yumuktepe Mound, an ancient Hittite settlement located in Anatolia, have concluded for the season, yielding key archaeological discoveries. Source: Türkiye Today
Turkish archaeologists to uncover 2,400-year-old theater at ancient city
Turkish archaeologists are preparing to reveal a 2,400-year-old theater at Alexandria Troas, located near the Ezine district of Canakkale. The theater, believed to have seated 12,000 people, holds significant historical value, yet much of it remains buried. Source: Türkiye Today
October 9, 2024
Ancient key ceremony revived in Türkiye’s Stratonikeia after 3,500 years
On October 9, 2024, a symbolic key ceremony will take place between Lagina and Stratonikeia in southwestern Türkiye. Source: Türkiye Today
October 10, 2024
Ancient Phrygian ovens, hearths unearthed in Türkiye’s Midas Kale
Archaeological excavations in Midas Kale (Midas Fortress), Eskisehir, located between the districts of Han and Seyitgazi, have uncovered ovens and hearths dating back to 2,800 years ago. Source: Türkiye Today
Roman military structure unearthed in Hasankeyf
Archaeologists have uncovered the remains of a 1,600-year-old Roman military structure during excavations in southeastern Türkiye, shedding new light on the region's ancient history. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Over 100 fossils discovered at Türkiye’s Yamula Dam excavations
In an exciting archaeological development, excavations around Yamula Dam in Kayseri have uncovered more than 100 fossils this year, dating back approximately 7.5 million years. The findings include a variety of animal fossils, primarily focusing on three-toed horses, giraffes, rhinoceroses, and carnivorous species. Source: Türkiye Today
October 11, 2024
Ruins of Phrygian religious site unearthed
Archaeologists have discovered ancient ovens and hearths, thought to belong to Phrygians, who inhabited the region around the seventh century B.C., during excavations at Midas Castle in the central Anatolian province of Eskişehir. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Ancient burial sites in Türkiye’s Savatra reveal mysterious infant skeletons in clay pots
Excavations in the ancient city of Savatra, in Konya, Türkiye have uncovered infant skeletons buried inside clay pots. These extraordinary findings are being carefully studied to provide insights into the burial rituals and daily life of the region during the Early Roman Empire and Late Antiquity periods. Source: Türkiye Today
October 12, 2024
1,800-year-old mosaics at Pompeipolis unearthed
In the excavation work carried out in Pompeiopolis, located in the Taşköprü district of Kastamonu, which once served as the capital of Paphlagonia, the 1,800-year-old mosaics of a Roman villa are being saved and brought to light. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Ancient city of Heraion-Teikhos set to welcome visitors with innovative center
Tekirdag’s Heraion-Teikhos, known as the City of Hera, is gearing up to open its doors to the public through the “Heritage for the Future” project. Source: Türkiye Today
Restoration of ancient Tlos city in Türkiye set to begin
The ancient city of Tlos, located in the Seydikemer district of Mugla, Türkiye, is set to undergo significant restoration work, including its assembly building, two baths and the Temple of Kronos. Source: Türkiye Today
October 14, 2024
Thrace’s oldest known winery unearthed in Türkiye’s Bathonea
Archaeologists have uncovered the oldest known wine production facility in Thrace, located in the ancient city of Bathonea, within the Kucukcekmece Lake Basin. The ongoing excavations, which began with surface surveys in 2007, continue to reveal interesting findings about this once-thriving hub. Source: Türkiye Today
Findings on dietary habits discovered in ancient sites
Professor Necmi Karul, coordinator of the Stone Hills Project, mentioned that during ongoing excavations in Karahantepe, numerous room-like structures were found, along with grinding stones, hand tools, plant remains and bone fragments of various animal species. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
‘History bursting from the ground,’ Türkiye’s Kurul Castle
A major archaeological discovery has taken place at Kurul Castle in Ordu, revealing the hidden history of the region. Supported by the Ordu Metropolitan Municipality, the castle, which dates back 2,300 years, has yielded nearly 2,000 artifacts, including statues, figures, and other historical treasures. Source: Türkiye Today
2,200-year-old sports school in Türkiye’s ‘City of Gladiators’ Stratonikeia set for revival
Known as the “City of Gladiators,” the ancient city of Stratonikeia in Türkiye’s Mugla is witnessing a revival of its 2,200-year-old gymnasium (sports school), one of the most monumental buildings from the Hellenistic period. Source: Türkiye Today
Mysterious fortress on Mount Tendurek officially named ‘Arap Zengi Castle’
The remnants of an 11-room castle, complete with cisterns, walls, and a watchtower, have been officially registered as “Arab Zengi Castle” in the Mount Tendurek area. Source: Türkiye Today
October 15, 2024
Selimiye Mosque restoration nears completion
Restoration of the minarets, doors, and windows of Selimiye Mosque, a UNESCO World Heritage site in the northwestern province of Edirne, has been completed, while decorative painting and plaster ornamentation are still ongoing, according to Edirne Foundations Regional Director Ahmet Saraç. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
October 16, 2024
Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine-era settlements unearthed in Ankara
The surface surveys that began in September 2021 in Ankara’s Kahramankazan district and carried out by Ankara University were completed last month, aiming to investigate rural Ankara during the Roman Empire and reveal classical period settlements. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Restoration begins at historic church damaged in Türkiye’s Adiyaman earthquakes
Restoration work commenced at the 323-year-old Mor Petrus and Mor Pavlus (St. Paul) Church, which suffered significant damage during the Kahramanmaras-centered earthquakes on Feb. 6, 2023. Source: Türkiye Today
Ancient structures emerge as Lake Van recedes, underwater footage captured
The receding waters of Lake Van, caused by drought, have uncovered ancient structures along the shores of Bitlis. Underwater cinematographer and documentary producer Tahsin Ceylan and his team captured stunning footage of these submerged ruins. Source: Türkiye Today
October 18, 2024
During the excavations in the ancient city of Anemurium in Mersin in southern Türkiye, an inscription consisting of 13 lines honoring a wrestling athlete of the period, which is thought to date back to 2 thousand years ago, was found. Source: Arkeonews
Archaeologists discover 450,000-year-old artifacts in Türkiye’s Southeast
In the Gurs Valley of Kiziltepe, Mardin, archaeologists have discovered artifacts dating back 450,000 years in Ulukoy Cave. Source: Türkiye Today
Archaeologists reveal 10,000 years of settlement at Türkiye’s Amida Hoyuk
Excavations at the Amida Hoyuk (Mound), often called the “heart of Diyarbakir,” have uncovered evidence that suggests human settlement at this historic site dates back 10,000 years, potentially altering the known timeline of the region’s history. Source: Türkiye Today
October 21, 2024
Unearthing ancient secrets: Hittite holy city Nerik uncovered in Türkiye
Archaeologists have uncovered 27 cuneiform tablets during ongoing excavations at Oymaagac Hoyuk/Nerik in Vezirkopru, Samsun, revealing crucial information about the Hittite sacred city of Nerik. Source: Türkiye Today
Boncuklu Tarla: 12,000-year-old archaeological site in Mardin unveils new insights
Boncuklu Tarla, an ancient archaeological site located in the Ilisu neighborhood of Dargecit, Mardin, continues to shed light on early human civilization. With a history dating back 12,000 years, this site will now undergo uninterrupted excavation as part of the “Heritage for the Future Project.” Source: Türkiye Today
Historic mosaic floor linked to 'Santa Claus' closed off
The Demre Museum Directorate has closed off the mosaic floor at St. Nicholas Church in tourism hotspot Antalya’s Demre district, a site believed to be where St. Nicholas, widely recognized as Santa Claus, once walked. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Trace of fortress gate found in Arslantepe
Excavations have been carried out to find a fortress gate from the Early Bronze Age on the south of the Arslantepe Mound in Malatya, which is on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Discovery Shedding Light on the Mysteries of Anatolia: 3500-year-old Double-Headed Eagle Seal
A grain silo and two different seal impressions, one of which is a double-headed eagle, were found during the excavation of Üçhöyük in the Bolvadin district of Afyonkarahisar in western Türkiye, which is being carried out to find the lost Hittite city of Purushanda. Source: Arkeonews
October 22, 2024
Goddess figure in Pergamon reveals high culture
A 4,500-year-old marble goddess figure has been discovered during the surface surveys conducted in the Bakırçay Plain, located within the borders of the ancient city of Pergamon in the Bergama district of İzmir. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Bayburt’s museums attract more visitors than city's population
The internationally award-winning Baksı Museum and the Kenan Yavuz Ethnography Museum, which have boosted tourism in Bayburt, Türkiye’s smallest province by population, have witnessed a busy season. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Mysteries unveiled at Türkiye’s Prusias ad Hypium: Ancient statues, hidden tunnels
Ongoing excavations at Prusias ad Hypium, located between Istanbul and Ankara, continue to uncover remarkable discoveries, offering insights into the ancient past. Source: Türkiye Today
Traces of ancient earthquakes found around Antakya’s Roman hippodrome
A 20-member team led by professor Hatice Pamir from Hatay Mustafa Kemal University’s Department of Archaeology is currently excavating the area surrounding Antakya’s ancient hippodrome. Source: Türkiye Today
October 23, 2024
Ancient cylindrical seal dating back to 3,400 BC exhibited in Türkiye
A cylindrical seal dating back to the Late Uruk Period, between 3,400 and 3,100 B.C., was discovered during excavations at Amida Hoyuk in Diyarbakir, Türkiye. Source: Türkiye Today
October 24, 2024
Türkiye’s Cayonu uncovers ancient agricultural practices, cultural insights
Cayonu, a site in the Ergani district of Diyarbakir, Türkiye, is shedding light on the transition from nomadic lifestyles to settled agricultural communities. Excavation efforts have revealed crucial insights into early human civilization, particularly regarding agriculture and the domestication of animals. Source: Türkiye Today
3,000-year-old settlement discovered on shores of Ataturk Dam Reservoir
Archaeological teams have unearthed a 3,000-year-old settlement along the shores of the Ataturk Dam Reservoir in Kahta, a district in Adiyaman. The discovery came as part of a broader project to explore and identify historical sites in the region. Source: Türkiye Today
October 26, 2024
Cows, sheep damage paths in Patara
Following complaints about damage caused by cows and sheep of locals living within the borders of Patara, the ancient capital of Lycia, the Demre Museum Directorate has launched a project to expropriate private properties within this first-degree archaeological site. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
October 27, 2024
Archaeologists uncover evidence of 1,903-year-old earthquake at Apollon sacred site in Türkiye
Archaeological excavations at Kiz Adasi (Island), an island located 500 meters off the coast of Golyazi in Bursa’s Nilufer district, have brought to light significant historical findings. Source: Türkiye Today
Key, iron fixtures of palace gate unearthed at Türkiye’s Bitlis Castle
Archaeological excavations at Bitlis Castle have uncovered a key and iron fixtures believed to belong to the gate of a palace structure within the castle. Source: Türkiye Today
October 29, 2024
Urfa Castle excavations explore history
Perched atop Dambak Hill south of the iconic Balıklıgöl complex in the southeastern province of Şanlıurfa, Urfa Castle showcases its commanding views over the city as ongoing excavations reveal traces of the past. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
October 30, 2024
Blaundus: Türkiye’s hidden ‘Stonehenge’ and mysterious Mesotimolos
Nestled in the breathtaking landscape of Türkiye’s Aegean region, the ancient city of Blaundus stands as a silent witness to civilizations past, beckoning explorers and archaeologists to uncover their secrets. Source: Türkiye Today
Amulet believed to cure cancer unearthed in Türkiye’s Antioch of Pisidia
During ongoing excavation works in 2024 at the ancient city of Antioch of Pisidia, a notable finding emerged: a “Magical amulet made against cancer.” Source: Türkiye Today
Mystery cave paintings in Türkiye’s Sivas: Secret sanctuary or ancient art?
In the Magara Village of Gurun district, Sivas, mysterious cave paintings have captivated villagers and visitors alike. Depicting animals, humans and intriguing symbols, these ancient drawings remain a mystery. Source: Türkiye Today
October 31, 2024
Ancient monumental sculpture unveiled in Türkiye’s Garibin Tepe to reveal Urartu art mysteries
Archaeologists have unearthed an approximately one-ton basalt statue from the Urartian period in the Tusba district of Van, Türkiye. Source: Türkiye Today
Project launched to protect ancient cities from earthquakes
A preservation project has been launched to protect cultural assets in the ancient cities of İzmir and Manisa, where scientists have identified fault lines that could generate earthquakes of 7 magnitude and where signs of previous seismic activity are still visible. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Historic Haydarpasa, Sirkeci train stations to serve as cultural hearts of Bosphorus
Istanbul’s historical train stations, Haydarpasa and Sirkeci, are set to become cultural centers at opposite sides of the Bosphorus following their restoration, Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy said Thursday. Source: Türkiye Today
