September 2018 in Turkish archaeology

Daskyleion archaeological site
Daskyleion archaeological site

September 2018 brought us news about many restoration projects carried out in the area of Turkey. Among the most notable renovations, one should mention the Bodrum Castle and Topkapı Palace. Moreover, an exciting archaeological discovery was reported this month, about a 2,500-year old Persian palace at the Oluz Mound. Finally, we learned more about Lydian eating habits, because of the excavations in the ancient city of Daskyleion.

Turkish Archaeological News collects the most important, interesting and inspiring news from Turkish excavation sites. Here's the review for September 2018. Have we missed anything? Let us know by using Contact tab!

September 1, 2018

New finds at the Hellenistic temple of Kınık Höyük, Niğde, Turkey

There were many discoveries made during the eighth campaign of excavations at Kınık Höyük, Niğde, in Turkey's Central Anatolia region (Greek Kappadokia). Source: Archaeology News Network

September 3, 2018

There could be surprising findings in Troy: Excavation head

The opening of the Troy Museum this month can exert an ethical pressure for the return of ancient artefacts that have been smuggled from this legendary city, according to the head of the Troy excavations. While the museum will exhibit unique artefacts, the ongoing excavations have inspired hope for some new discoveries. “We are expecting some surprising findings,” Professor Rüstem Aslan has said. Source: Hürriyet Daily News

Turkey's Kurul Castle candidate for UNESCO World Heritage Site list

Ordu's 2,300-year-old Kurul Castle, the first scientific archaeological excavation site of the eastern Black Sea, is a candidate for the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Source: Daily Sabah

Bodrum Castle set to open next year

The Bodrum Castle, which is famous for its visual magnificence, knight towers and archaeological works in the western province of Muğla’s Bodrum town, will open its doors next year to visitors with its renewed face. Source: Hürriyet Daily News

September 4, 2018

Aspendos learns lesson from ‘white marble’ mistake

White marble stones used instead of original stones in the renovation of the steps and seats of the Aspendos Antique Theater three years ago have sparked outrage among tourists and cultural associations. Source: Hürriyet Daily News

Turkey's ancient city Euromos eyes UNESCO list

The ancient city of Euromos located in Turkey's southwestern Mugla province is eyeing a spot in the UNESCO tentative list of World Heritage sites. The Zeus Lepsynos temple was built in the 2nd century BC in the Selimiye neighborhood within the district of Milas. Source: Daily Sabah

Ancient Troy may have been a sanctuary, new archeological finds show

New excavation discoveries at the ancient city Troy in Turkey's western Çanakkale province suggest the site may have been used as a religious sanctuary at one time, according to archeologists. Source: Daily Sabah

Eating habits of Lydians discovered in old building

In a building unearthed during excavations in the ancient city of Daskyleion in the northwestern province of Balıkesir, some tools and food remnants related to the culinary culture and eating habits of Lydians have been found. Source: Hürriyet Daily News

September 5, 2018

2,200-year-old eye cream jar found in tomb in western Turkey

Turkish archeologists have found an anti-dryness eye cream jar in a 2,200-year-old tomb during their excavation works in an antique city of Aizanoi in country's western Kütahya province. Source: Daily Sabah

September 6, 2018

Christian Basilica, and now Possibly a Roman Pagan Temple Found in a Turkish Lake

The foundations of a massive submerged ancient church in Turkey are suspected to have been built on top of an even greater treasure, an older Roman pagan temple dedicated to the sun god Apollo. Source: Ancient Origins

September 7, 2018

2,500-year-old Persian Palace found at Turkey's Oluz Mound

A reception chamber with columns and a throne chamber, which belong to a 2,500-year old Persian palace, were found during excavation at the Oluz Mound in the Göynücek district of Amasya province. Source: Daily Sabah

September 8, 2018

Findings push back history of ancient city of Kastabala

The ancient city of Kastabala in the southern province of Osmaniye’s Cevdetiye district is 1,500 years older than previously thought, archaeologists working at the excavations have found, making the history of the site date back 3,500 years. Source: Hürriyet Daily News

September 9, 2018

Sermon held at Akdamar Church after three years

Akdamar Church, a medieval Armenian church in Turkey’s eastern Van province, opened its doors for its first religious service in three years on Sept. 9. Source: Hürriyet Daily News

September 10, 2018

Mice figurines on steps of Apollo Temple

Miniature figurines of mice are greeting visitors on the steps of the Apollo Smintheion Holy Field, located in Gülpınar village in the northwestern province of Çanakkale Ayvacık district. Source: Hürriyet Daily News

12th-century Islamic monastery moved from historical site in SE Turkey

A small Islamic monastery, also known as zawiya, in southeastern Turkey dating back to the 12th century was relocated Monday to a new site to prevent it from flooding when a new dam opens. Source: Daily Sabah

September 11, 2018

Turkey's Sümela Monastery to open its doors after three years of restoration

Undergoing extensive restoration for the last three years, the majestic Sümela Monastery is ready to partially welcome visitors by the end of the year. Source: Daily Sabah

Skeleton of ‘last Trojan’ found in Turkey's west

The skeleton of the last Trojan that lived during the Eastern Roman era has been found in archaeological excavations being carried out in the ancient city of Troy in the northwestern province of Çanakkale, shedding light on a history of 5,000 years. Source: Hürriyet Daily News

September 12, 2018

Urartian seal found in Elazığ

Archaeological excavations in the Harput Castle in the eastern province of Elazığ have unearthed an Urartian seal. Source: Hürriyet Daily News

September 13, 2018

Fragile frescoes in Dark Church protected

Fragile frescoes depicting some of the most important events in Christianity in the historic Dark Church in Cappadocia have managed to survive with minimal damage until today due to careful protection by authorities. Source: Hürriyet Daily News

September 14, 2018

Turkish courts reject converting Hagia Sophia into a Mosque

Plans to turn the Byzantine-era structure, formerly a Greek Orthodox Christian patriarchal cathedral and Museum back into a mosque has been turned down by the country’s highest courts. Source: Heritage Daily

Priceless Karun Treasures exhibited in Turkey's Usak

The Karun Treasures, known as Treasures of Croesus, belonging to the King of Lydia Croesus (560 BC - 546 BC) was opened to visitors at Usak Archaeology Museum. Source: Anadolu Agency

September 15, 2018

Only Seljuk-era bazaar in Anatolia being unearthed

Excavation teams are unearthing a Seljuk-era bazaar in the historic Alanya Castle in the Mediterranean province of Antalya. According to one archaeologist, the finding will be the only bazaar dating back to the Seljuk times in Anatolia. Source: Hürriyet Daily News

September 17, 2018

Irgandı: Artistic Bazaar Bridge of Bursa

Having been built in 1442 over Gökdere, the historical Irgandı Bazaar Bridge in Bursa province connects the central Osmangazi and Yıldırım districts of the city and is home to artificer tradesmen who offer the finest examples of handicrafts from mother-of-pearls to ceramics. Source: Daily Sabah

2,700-year-old open-air altar unearthed in eastern Turkey's Elazığ

A team of archaeologists have unearthed an outdoor altar area in eastern Turkey from the Urartu period. Source: Daily Sabah

September 18, 2018

Traces of Iron Age wars found on double-skin wall

Archeologists at Adana's Sirkeli Mound have uncovered a double-skin wall dating back to the Iron Age. Located in the city's Ceyhan district, the wall bears the traces of a war. Source: Daily Sabah

Harran’s women part of archaeological team

In Harran, which is in the southeastern province of Şanlıurfa and one of the world’s oldest settlements, women provide support to archaeological excavations. Source: Hürriyet Daily News

September 20, 2018

7.5 million-year-old bovidae fossils found in Turkey’s Kayseri province

Bovidae fossils, estimated to be around 7.5 million years old, were discovered in Turkey's central Anatolian province of Kayseri. Source: Hürriyet Daily News

Floor mosaic unearthed in ancient Nysa

Archaeological excavations in the ancient city of Nysa have uncovered a mosaic floor, which is believed to date back to the fourth century. Source: Hürriyet Daily News

September 21, 2018

Ancient city's 155-square-meter mosaic to open for public

Restoration and conservation work is being conducted on a 155-square-meter mosaic found during an excavation in 2009 in the ancient city of Perre, one of the five biggest cities of the Kingdom of Commagene, located in present-day Adıyaman province. The teams of the Adıyaman Directorate of Museum completed a rough cleaning of the mosaic, which dates back to the Roman period, by exposing its surface, which had been protected by a modern roof after its discovery. Source: Daily Sabah

Karun Treasures await visitors in homeland

A priceless collection of 432 pieces known as the Karun Treasures is now open to visitors at the newly set up Uşak Archaeology Museum in the western province of Uşak. Source: Hürriyet Daily News

September 24, 2018

Pithos burials found in Antandros

Pithos burials have been unearthed in the ancient city of Antandros, which are believed to have been established in the 10th century on the skirts of the Kaz Mountains (Mount Ida) in the western province of Balıkesir’s Edremit district. Source: Hürriyet Daily News

Hasankeyf Museum to feature ancient artifacts

Some of the most compelling treasures from the early ages of civilization will soon be open to tourists at Hasankeyf Museum in southeastern Turkey’s Batman province. Source: Hürriyet Daily News

Evidence of ancient glass production found in western Turkey

Archeologists have discovered evidence of glass production during excavations at the ancient city of Akmonia in western Turkey's Uşak province. Source: Daily Sabah

September 26, 2018

Islamic Science and Technology Museum to open in 747-year-old building

Sivas Governor Davut Gül announced that the History of Islamic Science and Technology Museum will be opened at the 747-year-old Gökmedrese, or Blue Madrasah. Source: Daily Sabah

September 28, 2018

Underground city in Yozgat prepares for tourism

A 1,700-year-old underground city in the Central Anatolian province of Yozgat has come to the surface after the houses closing its entrance were expropriated and knocked down. Source: Hürriyet Daily News

350 million Turkish Liras spent to renovate Topkapı Palace

A total of 350 million Turkish Liras ($58 million) have been spent so far on the renovation of the Topkapı Palace, which was the home of Ottoman sultans for hundreds of years in Istanbul. Source: Hürriyet Daily News