September 2021 in Turkish archaeology

Elaiussa Sebaste ancient city
Elaiussa Sebaste ancient city

In September 2021, the archaeologists working in the area of Turkey reported the discovery of the mosaics belonging to the Byzantine period in a complex of buildings in Balatlar in the northern province of Sinop. Moreover, dozens of graves and the remains of houses were found during excavations of the 7,000-year-old ancient mound of Arslantepe, newly inscribed into the UNESCO World Heritage Lists. The discovery of 5,000 seal impressions at the same site leads archaeologists to explore and piece together how bureaucracy worked nearly 6,000 years ago. Finally, the 27th round of excavations started in the Elaiussa Sebaste ancient city in Mersin Province of southern Turkey.

Turkish Archaeological News collects the most important, interesting and inspiring news from Turkish excavation sites. Here's the review for September 2021. Have we missed anything? Let us know by using Contact tab!

September 1, 2021

Excavations continue to unearth ancient city of Kastabala

Archaeological excavations on the ruins of the ancient city of Kastabala, located in Turkey’s southern province of Osmaniye, continue as more and more historic structures are unearthed. Source: Daily Sabah

September 2, 2021

Çatalhöyük presents new traces from centuries ago

Çatalhöyük, one of the first urbanization models in Anatolia in Konya’s Çumra district and Turkey’s one of ancient sites in the UNESCO World Heritage List, continues to give new clues about the way of life of people 9,000 years ago. Source: Hürriyet Daily News

10-fold jump in visits at 7,000-year-old mound after UNESCO listing

Eastern Turkey's ancient Arslantepe Mound – which is roughly 7,000 years old – is now attracting 10 times more visitors after it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in July, an official said Thursday. Source: Daily Sabah

September 3, 2021

Excavations begin in Trabzon to bring to light traces of four empires

An archaeological excavation that will last for five years has been initiated in the northern province of Trabzon. The aim of the work is to unearth the structures and finds belonging to the Roman, Byzantine, Komnenos and Ottoman Empires that ruled in the region throughout history. Source: Hürriyet Daily News

September 4, 2021

Byzantine mosaics discovered in Balatlar excavations

New mosaics belonging to the Byzantine period have come to light during the excavations in the 2,300-year-old complex buildings in Balatlar in the northern province of Sinop. Source: Hürriyet Daily News

September 5, 2021

Over 20 graves, 6 houses found in 7,000 year-old mound in Turkey

Dozens of graves and the remains of houses were found during excavations of the 7,000 year-old ancient mound of Arslantepe, a governorate in eastern Turkey said Saturday. Source: Daily Sabah

September 6, 2021

Mesopotamian city finds new life as tourist hub

One of the most important trade centers of ancient Mesopotamia, the ancient city of Dara in southeastern Turkey, is poised for new greatness as a hub for visitors seeking historical splendor. Excavations and research have been carried out for 34 years in Dara, in Oğuz village, Mardin, some 30 kilometers (19 miles) from the provincial center. Source: Hürriyet Daily News

Armenian church holds holy mass after nearly century hiatus

The Akdamar Church, a 1,100-year-old Armenian church in Turkey’s eastern Van province, hosted its ninth special mass on Sept. 5 since reopening in 2010 after a hiatus of 95 years. A limited number of people were taken to the island by boat to attend the ceremony due to the ongoing pandemic. Source: Hürriyet Daily News

September 7, 2021

Restoration begins at Maiden’s Tower

In a bid to revive Istanbul’s iconic Maiden’s Tower, the Turkish Culture and Tourism Ministry has initiated a restoration project titled “The Maiden’s Tower Opens Its Eyes Again.” Source: Hürriyet Daily News

People lived up to 40 years of age 5,000 years ago

Archaeological excavations at the Küllüoba Mound, which dates back to the first Bronze Age in the Seyitgazi district of the Central Anatolian province of Eskişehir, have unearthed more than 40 burial sites, including women and children, and research has found that people lived there an average life of 40 years 5,000 years ago. Source: Hürriyet Daily News

Seals at 7,000-year-old Turkish site to shed light on bureaucracy

The discovery of 5,000 seal impressions at Arslantepe Mound, UNESCO World Heritage site in Turkey’s Malatya, leads archaeologists to explore and piece together how bureaucracy worked nearly 6,000 years ago. Source: Daily Sabah

September 8, 2021

7,500 year-old settlement found in Turkey’s Domuztepe Mound

A settlement and silo thought to date back 7,500 years have been unearthed during the latest excavations at Domuztepe Mound in the Türkoğlu district of southern Turkey’s Kahramanmaraş province. Source: Daily Sabah

Prehistoric Guennol Stargazer Idol to Stay in USA, Court Rules

After eight steamy days in a U.S. court, it was ruled that a 6,000-year-old artifact will stay in the country. A Manhattan judge firmly rejected Turkish antiquities authorities’ claim for the return of the ancient Guennol Stargazer idol statue. Known as both the finest and largest of only 15 intact Kiliya type Anatolian marble female idols ever discovered, the ancient ritual figure was created in the Chalcolithic period, between 3000 and 2200 BC, in ancient Anatolia (northwestern Turkey). A prolongated legal battle between the Republic of Turkey and Christie’s Auction House has now determined the destiny of the famed “Guennol Stargazer.” It will remain the property of the hedge fund manager who last purchased it and can be legally resold. Source: Ancient Origins

September 9, 2021

Women’s position in state administration investigated in Carchemish

It has been determined that most of the 100 seal impressions, which were unearthed during the excavations carried out in the ancient city of Carchemish (Karkamış), belonged to a woman named Matiya. Source: Hürriyet Daily News

Number of museums in Turkey rose in 2020

The number of museums in Turkey increased by 5.8 percent in 2020 and reached 494, according to the Cultural Heritage Statistics report announced by the Turkish Statistical Institute. Source: Hürriyet Daily News

Ancient city of Augusta in Turkey's Adana rises as waters recede

A submerged section of the ancient city of Augusta, whose history dates back centuries, has reemerged after the water level in the Seyhan Dam Lake fell due to a drought in southern Turkey's Adana. The city was founded in the name of Livia Augusta, the wife of the Roman Emperor Augustos, in the Karaömerli district of the central Sarıçam district of Adana. The ancient city, which dates back to B.C. 58-A.D. 29, was flooded by the Seyhan Dam Lake in 1955. Source: Daily Sabah

September 10, 2021

Byzantine-era finds show material culture in Assos

Ongoing excavations in Assos, which was one of the most important port cities in the ancient ages and home to many cultural riches such as an ancient theater, agora, necropolis and ramparts, have unearthed a 1,300-year-old iron machete and an ax used to shape wood. Source: Hürriyet Daily News

Fragments of Emperor Hadrian's Statue Found in Aydın's Alabanda ancient city

In the excavations carried out in the ancient city of Alabanda in Aydın's Çine district, fragments of a statue of Emperor Hadrian were found. It is estimated that the statue in the ancient city of Alabanda was made for the arrival of Eemperor Hadrian in the city in 120 CE. The reason why the statue was found in pieces may be that it was destroyed by Christians in later years. Source: Arkeofili

September 11, 2021

German archaeologist tracing Anatolian civilizations

On behalf of the German Archaeology Institute, Professor Andreas Schachner has been carrying out the archaeological excavations in the Boğazkale district of Çorum, which was home to the Hittite capital Hattusa. Source: Hürriyet Daily News

September 12, 2021

Ancient Hittite temple to be unearthed

Archaeological excavations will be carried out to unearth one of the most important temples of the Hittites in Kayalıpınar, a 3,800-year-old ancient city in the Central Anatolian province of Sivas. Source: Hürriyet Daily News

Excavations start in ancient Elaiussa Sebaste

The 27th term excavations have started in the Elaiussa Sebaste ancient city in Mersin, southern Turkey. A team of 36 Turkish and Italian experts led by Marcello Barbanera, an archeology professor at the University of Rome La Sapienza, launched the seasonal excavations in the ancient city in Mersin’s Ayaş district. Source: Hürriyet Daily News

Orthodox monastery opens to visitors after restoration

An Orthodox monastery in Turkey’s Black Sea province of Trabzon has reopened after restoration works, welcoming visitors once again. Panagia Keramesta, also known as Kızlar (Girls) Monastery in Turkey, is believed to be constructed during the reign of then-Byzantine Emperor Alexios III. It took its final shape in the 19th century after several renovations over the centuries. Source: Hürriyet Daily News

September 13, 2021

Roman emperor’s statue discovered in Aydın

Archaeological excavations in the ancient city of Alabanda in the western province of Aydın have brought to light the fragments of the statue of Roman Emperor Publius Aelius Traianus Hadrianus. Source: Hürriyet Daily News

September 14, 2021

Urns found in Çavuştepe Castle under examination

Forty-five Urartian-era urns (the vessels in which the ashes of the dead were put) have been unearthed in the necropolis of Çavuştepe Castle, located in the Gürpınar district of the eastern province of Van. Source: Hürriyet Daily News

Rare artifacts under protection at Şanlıurfa Museum

Unique historical artifacts and mosaics, including those unearthed from the UNESCO heritage ancient site of Göbeklitepe, are carefully being cleaned by expert teams at the Şanlıurfa Archaeology Museum. Source: Hürriyet Daily News

Archaeologists reveal 2,000-year-old sewage system in SW Turkey

Archaeologists discovered a 2,000-year-old sewage system in the ancient city of Tripolis, located in the Buldan district of Denizli province in southwestern Turkey. Source: Daily Sabah

Excavators find 3,500-year-old mosaic in central Turkey

Archeologists have uncovered a 3,500-year-old mosaic in central Turkey that could be one of the oldest in the world. The mosaic, measuring 3 by 7 meters (10 by 23 feet) consists of 3,147 stones and was found in Uşaklı Mound located in Yozgat province’s Sorgun district, where surface surveys were initiated in 2008 and excavations began in 2012. Source: Daily Sabah

September 15, 2021

Works ongoing to reveal cultural timeline of Alacahöyük

Works that have been carried out in the ancient site of Alacahöyük, one of the first archaeological excavations of the Republic era, aim to reveal the detailed cultural timeline of the 7,000-year-old city. Source: Hürriyet Daily News

September 16, 2021

Replica of Göbeklitepe obelisk to be added to UN grounds

A replica of an obelisk from a famous site in Turkey over 10,000 years old will be exhibited on the grounds of the United Nations headquarters in New York. Source: Hürriyet Daily News

Turkey's ancient city of Pompeiopolis prepares to welcome visitors

The ancient city of Pompeiopolis, in the Taşköprü district of northern Turkey's Kastamonu province, is preparing to officially become an archaeological site and open to tourism as excavations continue to reveal the beautiful history of the city and the region. Source: Daily Sabah

September 17, 2021

Lion’s jawbone found in Kültepe

This year’s excavations in the ancient site of Kültepe, located in the Central Anatolian province of Kayseri, have unearthed a lion’s jawbone dating back 4,000 years. Source: Hürriyet Daily News

Ceramic pieces found in Myra suggest ancient site older than expected

The 5,000-year-old ceramic pieces that have been found during excavations in the ancient city of Myra in the southern province of Antalya’s Demre district took the history of the ancient city 2,000 years back. Source: Hürriyet Daily News

September 18, 2021

Excavations in Turkey's Çayönü to shed light on Neolithic era

Turkish archaeological teams continue excavations in Çayönü Mound in southeastern Diyarbakir province to unearth a Neolithic settlement where traces of settled life and production are evident. Source: Daily Sabah

Underwater excavations start at ancient Black Sea port Kerpe

Underwater excavations and research have started to unearth the history of ancient Kerpe Harbor and its port on the Black Sea coast in Kocaeli's Kandıra district. Source: Daily Sabah

September 19, 2021

Troy Museum receives European Museum Academy Special Award

Turkey’s Troy Museum received the 2020/2021 European Museum Academy (EMA) Special Mention Award, according to the statement of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Source: Daily Sabah

September 20, 2021

Blacksmithing workshop discovered in ancient city of Sillyon

A blacksmithing and knife workshop from the Seljuk period have been unearthed during the excavations in the ancient city of Sillyon. Excavations continue in the 4,000-year-old ancient city of Sillyon, located in Antalya’s Serik district and home to many civilizations. Source: Hürriyet Daily News

Ancient Egypt’s 'Ushabti' figures open to visitors

The 2,700-year-old Ushabti statuettes used in funeral rituals in ancient Egypt and found in archaeological excavations in western Turkey began to be exhibited for the first time at the İzmir Archaeology Museum. Source: Hürriyet Daily News

Ancient city of St. Mercurius in central Turkey dazzles visitors

An ancient underground city of St. Mercurius, located in the town of Saratlı in Turkey's central Aksaray province, impresses tourists with its history as it is home to a total of 35 ancient tombs. Source: Daily Sabah

17M-year-old elephant tusk unearthed in SW Turkey

A fossil of an elephant's tusk, which is estimated to date back 17 million years, was found in southwestern Denizli province during some survey studies carried out by experts. Source: Daily Sabah

Urartian graves reveal new burial customs in eastern Turkey

Two graves belonging to the Urartian period were unearthed in a necropolis during excavations that started five years ago in Çavuştepe Castle in eastern Turkey’s Van province. The graves reveal a new burial type in the region. Source: Daily Sabah

September 21, 2021

Ancient Hittite apartments waiting to be discovered in central Turkey

Rock caves from the Hittite era in Turkey’s central Sivas province are attracting the attention of visitors with their architectural structure. According to the Sivas Governor's Office, the caves in Gurun district, which date back to 2,000 BC, have been used as shelters, castles and for food storage throughout history. They resemble primitive apartments with three and five floors. i>Source: Anadolu Agency

Child skeleton from Middle Ages found in Turkey’s Domuztepe Mound

The recent excavations at Domuztepe Mound in the Türkoğlu district of southern Kahramanmaraş province unearthed the skeleton of a child from the Middle Ages. Source: Daily Sabah

September 22, 2021

Tombstones found in Hasankeyf 'unique'

Tombstones with inverted triangle ornaments that have been found in the historical Hasankeyf district of the southeastern province of Batman are believed to be unique to the district. Source: Hürriyet Daily News

Istanbul to get back iconic artifact from the Netherlands

An inscription that was smuggled abroad years ago despite belonging to a “lost mosque” in Istanbul is on the way back home thanks to initiatives of the city’s local authorities. The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality has purchased the inscription that reportedly belongs to the historic Bozgoca Mosque at an auction held in the Netherlands on Sept. 17 for 4,600 euros. Source: Hürriyet Daily News

Exhibition showcases Istanbul’s heritage along with contemporary artworks

A new joint exhibition by Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and Yapı Kredi Culture and Arts Publishing, titled “This Place,” has opened at Yapıkredi Arts and Culture Center. Source: Hürriyet Daily News

September 24, 2021

Exclusive lodges found in Turkey’s ‘Colosseum’

Private lodges built for the elite-class people to watch gladiator or wild animal fights shows have been unearthed in the 1800-year-old amphitheater in the ancient city of Bergama (Pergamon). Source: Hürriyet Daily News

Works underway to unearth ancient city in southern Turkey

Excavations around a Christian cave church in southern Turkey are underway in a bid to demystify a long period going back to 300 B.C., when the ancient city of Antioch was founded. Source: Hürriyet Daily News

September 25, 2021

Stone Hills introduced in Şanlıurfa

The Culture and Tourism Ministry and the Turkish Tourism Development and Promotion Agency (TGA) have introduced the Stone Hills, which host the first examples of settled life and social communities in the world, at an event held at the Şanlıurfa Museum. Source: Hürriyet Daily News

Lost Lycian artifacts to be exhibited underwater

Works for the “Lycia-Kaş Underwater Art Park,” where replicas of smuggled historical Lycian civilization artifacts will be exhibited under the sea in the southern province of Antalya’s Kaş district, will be finished soon. Source: Hürriyet Daily News

Epigraphs shed light on quakes in ancient city

Ongoing excavations in Turkey’s southwest have revealed details on earthquakes from an ancient period. Excavations and restoration efforts that began in 2012 in the ancient city of Tripolis in the southwestern province of Denizli’s Buldan district revealed skeletal remains as well as the effects of earthquakes on structures at the site. Source: Hürriyet Daily News

2,400-year-old homes unearthed in Turkey, focus on common folk

Two houses dating back 2,400 years and believed to be used by middle-class people were found during excavations in the ancient city of Miletos in the Didim district of Aydin province. Source: Daily Sabah

September 26, 2021

Archaeologists find Magnesia's Zeus Temple gate in Turkey

Archaeologists excavated the entrance gate of Magnesia's Zeus Temple in the Ortaklar district in Turkey's southern Aydın province. Source: Daily Sabah

September 27, 2021

Excavations start at Mokissos

The first excavations have been initiated in the ancient city of Mokissos, also known as “Nora,” which could become the “Ephesus of the Cappadocia region,” with its history dating back to the Hellenistic period. Source: Hürriyet Daily News

September 28, 2021

Excavations shed light on new findings from Neolithic Age

Excavations at the Stone Hills in Turkey’s southeastern province of Şanlıurfa, which hosts the first examples of settled life and social communities in the world, reveals new and stunning details that could rewrite the history of the region. Source: Hürriyet Daily News

September 29, 2021

Human depictions show talent of ancient people

Historical artifacts unearthed at the archeological site of Karahantepe in the southeastern province of Şanlıurfa, considered one of the important settlements of the Neolithic period, reveal the artistic talents of the people who resided there some 11,000 years ago. Source: Daily Sabah

September 30, 2021

Uzuncaburç finds shed light on history

The ancient city of Uzuncaburç in the southern province of Mersin, which is home to Hellenistic-era structures, offers finds that will shed light on history. Excavation and restoration projects of important structures in the ancient city were included in the 2021 investment program of the Culture and Tourism Ministry and work continues as part of this program. Source: Hürriyet Daily News

1,800-year-old rock tombs found in Turkey’s ancient city Blaundus

A total of 400 rock-cut tombs that are approximately 1,800 years old and decorated with various motifs were found in the ancient city of Blaundus, located in the Ulubey district of the western Anatolian city of Uşak. Source: Daily Sabah