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
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
