Turkish Archaeological News collects the most important, interesting and inspiring news from Turkish excavation sites. Here's the review for September 2016. Have we missed anything? Let us know by using Contact tab!
September 1, 2016
Zeus Temple to regain its glory
The Zeus Lepsynos Temple from the 2nd century B.C. will be revived to regain its former glory, as archaeological excavations continue in the ancient city of Euromos in the western province of Muğla’s Milas district. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
September 3, 2016
Mosaic in clover field under protection in Konya
Excavations are continuing in a clover field in the Central Anatolian province of Konya’s Beyşehir district, where a 1,400 year-old floor mosaic with human and animal figures was unearthed last year. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
September 4, 2016
Diplomatic tension between Austria and Turkey has brought about an early halt to this year’s archaeological excavations in the ancient city of Ephesus, which are carried out by the Austrian Archaeology Institute. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Turkey's first full-panoramic museum depicts Ottoman Empire's foundation
The new panoramic museum will illustrate the conquest of Bursa, the Ottoman Empire's first capital before Istanbul. Rich visual images and platforms will depict the story of the empire's foundation. Source: Daily Sabah
September 5, 2016
Ancient city of Kaunos continues to shed light on history
Built according to the direction of the wind, the ancient city of Kaunos in Muğla province has been excavated for half a century and has become a treasure trove for archaeologists trying to discover many ancient mysteries. Source: Daily Sabah
2,800-year-old seeds found in Turkey to be replanted
2,800-year-old wheat and sesame seeds taken from an excavation in an ancient castle in Turkey's eastern Van province are to be brought back to life. Source: Daily Sabah
A life dedicated to Aphrodisias
One of Oxford University’s archaeologists, Prof. Roland R.R. Smith, has dedicated his life to working on the Aphrodisias archaeological excavations in the western province of Aydın’s Karacasu district. Smith, 62, said he is very happy to be in Turkey. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
September 6, 2016
Rare ancient plate set found underwater in Antalya
One of the world’s richest plate sets from the Eastern Roman Empire has been discovered off the coast of the southern province of Antalya’s Adrasan district. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Byzantine-era tablet found in road construction
A Byzantine-era stone tablet has been found during road construction in the Central Anatolian province of Karaman’s Ermenek district. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
September 7, 2016
Ancient tombs, church found in Tieion in northern Turkey
This year’s excavation works have ended in the ancient city of Tieion, known as the Ephesus of the Black Sea, after unearthing 25 Byzantine-era tombs and one church. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Rare 3,300 year-old secret passage, first Hittite skeleton found in central Turkey
A 3,300-year-old secret passage and a skeleton belonging to the Hittite period have been found during archeological excavations in Alacahöyük archeological site in central Anatolian province of Çorum, Turkey. The findings were compiled in a documentary entitled "Following the footsteps of history," shedding light on the lives of ancient peoples. Source: Daily Sabah
5,000-year-old seal found in Hacılar mound excavations shows evidence of ‘sign language’
Archaeologists have discovered a 5-000-year-old seal that seems to indicate marks of a common sign language used to communicate in ancient times as excavations near Burdur's Hacılar village continue. Source: Daily Sabah
Monastery on rocks needs restoration
The Solomon Monastery, which was carved out of the rocks in the eastern province of Erzurum’s Şenkaya district nearly 1,000 years ago, is in need of restoration to attract more tourists according officials. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
September 8, 2016
Underwater basilica to open for visits
An underwater Roman-era basilica that was discovered just 20 meters off the shore of Lake İznik in the northwestern province of Bursa in 2014 is set to be open to visitors. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
10 new Turkish sites on UNESCO list
The new sites located in Turkey include the Sultan Bayezid II Complex in the northwestern province of Edirne, Bodrum Castle in the western province of Muğla, the Sivrihisar Ulu Mosque in the Central Anatolian province of Eskişehir, the Hacı Bayram Mosque and its surrounding area in Ankara, the Nuruosmaniye Complex in Istanbul, the Malabadi Bridge in the southeastern province of Diyarbakır, Van Fortress in the eastern province of Van, the ancient city of Kibyra in the southern province of Burdur, the Yivli Minaret Mosque in the southern province of Antalya and Kızılırmak Delta Wetland and Bird Sanctuary in the northern province of Samsun. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Visitor numbers plummet at İzmir museums, ancient sites amid Turkish tourism strife
The number of visitors to museums and ancient sites in the western Turkish province of İzmir, operated by the İzmir Provincial Culture and Tourism Directorate, decreased by 36.6 percent in the first seven months of 2016 compared to the same period last year. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
September 9, 2016
2,100-year-old statue of Cybele the Anatolian mother goddess unearthed in northwestern Turkey
An estimated 2,100-year-old rare marble statue of Cybele, the mother goddess of Anatolia, has been unearthed in excavations in northwestern Ordu province located on the Black Sea coast. Source: Daily Sabah
September 10, 2016
Ancient Karkamış sees modern war on Turkey-Syria border
The tourist gate and ticket house are ready at the ancient city of Karkamış, where Turkish troops crossed last month into Syria and ousted Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Police searching stolen vehicle finds 2nd century tomb in Bursa
Police teams looking to find a stolen truck in Bursa's Iznik district have discovered a sarcophagus at an olive grove, belonging to the Late Antiquity period. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
September 12, 2016
Ancient seal found in Tatarlı Mound
Excavations at Tatarlı Mound in the southern province of Adana’s Ceyhan district have unearthed an impression seal from a monumental Hittite-era structure. The seal contains information from about 3,000 years ago. The female name “Pati” was also found on the seal. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
September 13, 2016
Sculptures show sponsorship existed in ancient times
Artifacts unearthed during archaeological excavations in the ancient city of Aigai in the western province of Manisa have revealed that the history of sponsorship goes back at least some 2,200 years. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Neolithic figurine, over 7,000 years old, unearthed at Turkey’s Çatalhöyük
Archaeologists at Turkey's neolithic site of Çatalhöyük in central Anatolia have unearthed a "unique" complete female figurine, The Ministry of Culture and Tourism said on Tuesday. Source: Daily Sabah
Starfish fossil found on mountain in Turkey's south
A starfish fossil has been found at an altitude of 1,200 meters in the southern Turkish province of Mersin’s Bozyazı district, Doğan News Agency has reported. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
September 15, 2016
Garden space at Hadrian’s Gate to be renovated
The central district of Muratpaşa in the southern province of Antalya has planned a renovation project for a landscaped area at Hadrian’s Gate, known as the “Three Doors,” which sits between the walls surrounding the city’s historic Kaleiçi neighborhood. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Statue of ancient goddess draws thousands to Black Sea city
Cybele, a goddess revered by ancient civilizations in Turkey, has made a striking comeback in the country as a newly unearthed statue dedicated to her has attracted large crowds. Source: Daily Sabah
September 18, 2016
Restoration of 2,200-year-old ancient Laodicea theater in Turkey to be completed in 3 years
The restoration and excavation work of a 2,200-year-old theater located in the ancient city of Laodicea in Turkey's southwestern Denizli province is expected to be completed within three years, an archeologist leading the restoration works said on Saturday. Source: Daily Sabah
September 20, 2016
Findings in Kayseri show active ancient Anatolian women
Clay tablets unearthed during excavations at the Kültepe Kaniş/Karum mound in the province of Kayseri in central Turkey reveal that Anatolian women played an active part in administration and trade up to 4,000 years ago. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
September 21, 2016
Giant pool from ancient city comes to light
The ancient city of Aphrodisias, located in the western province of Aydın’s Karacasu district, is home to a giant pool reflecting the magnificence of Roman-era cities that is set to be completely excavated by 2017. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
September 23, 2016
Ancient fountain to function again
A 2,000-year-old fountain unearthed in the ancient city of Kibyra in the southern province of Burdur will soon regain its former function after a restoration project is launched next year. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
September 24, 2016
Cave paintings found in southern Turkey date back to the prehistoric era
Archaeologists announced the discovery of 10 cave paintings in the southern city of Mersin on Friday and said they dated back about 8,000 years ago. Source: Daily Sabah
'Romani Bambino' statue brought back home to Gaziantep after 85 years
The ancient statue of "Romani Bambino," a Roman child holding a cluster of pistachios, was finally brought back home after 85 years. Source: Daily Sabah
September 27, 2016
Turkish teacher discovers 15 million-year-old fossils in southern Antalya province
A Turkish geography teacher has discovered 15 million-years-old marine fossils in southern Antalya province's Manavgat district, reports said on Tuesday. Source: Daily Sabah
September 28, 2016
2,800-year-old Urartian sewage system unearthed in Van
An ancient Urartian sewage system, which was first discovered during excavations in 2004 in the Çavuştepe Castle in the eastern province of Van, has been unearthed. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
September 28, 2016
Three tombs found in Çanakkale
Three tombs have been unearthed during excavations to repair a water pipe in the northwestern province of Çanakkale’s Biga district. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Underwater Roman city offers historical journey
Roman city discovered during the Limantepe underwater excavations in the western province of İzmir’s Urla district will be excavated next year and offer an interesting experience for underwater aficionados. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Cosmetic products popular in ancient times
Archaeological excavations in the ancient city of Antandros in the northwestern province of Balıkesir, where work has been continuing for 16 years, have revealed a number of ancient shops which sold cosmetics, indicating that women have been interested in such products for millennia. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
September 30, 2016
Gold found in 8th century BC sarcophagi discovered in Turkey's Çanakkale province
Municipal workers trying to fix broken water pipes in Turkey's northwestern Çanakkale province found three ancient sarcophagi from the 8th century B.C. during the excavation. Source: Daily Sabah
