Without a doubt, the most interesting event in the field of history and culture of Turkish lands in September 2023 was the announcement by UNESCO of the entry on the World Heritage List of two new items from Turkey. This honorable distinction was awarded to the archaeological site of Gordion, located near Ankara, and five wooden mosques from the Middle Ages, located in various locations in Anatolia.
Turkish Archaeological News collects the most important, interesting and inspiring news from Turkish excavation sites. Here's the review for September 2023. Have we missed anything? Let us know by using Contact tab!
September 1, 2023
The altar of Zeus Temple discovered in western Turkey
Archaeological excavations in the ancient city of Magnesia, located in the western province of Aydın’s Germencik district, have uncovered the altar of the Temple of Magnesia Zeus, the replica of which is on display at the Pergamon Museum in Berlin. Source: Arkeonews
Atatürk Mansion to be reopened to visitors soon
Located in the northern province of Trabzon, Atatürk Mansion, where modern Türkiye founder Mustafa Kemal Atatürk wrote his will, will soon reopen its doors to visitors as restoration works are nearing completion. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
September 2, 2023
Looted from Türkiye, US authorities seize Marcus Aurelius statue
A headless bronze statue believed to depict the Roman emperor and philosopher Marcus Aurelius was ordered seized from the Cleveland Museum of Art by New York authorities investigating antiquities looted from Türkiye. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
September 4, 2023
3700 years old Brain and skin remnants discovered at Bronze Age settlement in western Türkiye
Archaeologists discovered, well-preserved brain and skin remnants of two individuals dating to the Bronze Age during excavations at Tavşanlı Höyük (Tavşanlı Mound) in western Türkiye’s Kütahya province. Source: Arkeonews
September 5, 2023
Türkiye’s Neolithic Settlement Çayönü Hill Discovered New Tombs from Early Bronze Age
Archaeologists have unearthed 5 more tombs dating to the Early Bronze Age during the recent excavations on Çayönü Hill in the Ergani district, southeast of Diyarbakır. With these new discoveries, the total number of graves in the area has risen to 10. Source: Arkeonews
Historical city in Olympus comes to light
New finds have been unearthed during archaeological excavations in the ancient city of Olympus in Antalya's Kumluca district. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
A Dice Game board from 5th century BC found in western Turkey’s Daskyleion
Archaeologists found a terracotta dice game tabla dating back to the fifth century B.C. during the excavations of the ancient city of Daskyleion in the Bandırma district of western Balıkesir province. Source: Arkeonews
September 7, 2023
History rewritten in ancient city of Satala
Archaeological excavations continue in the ancient city of Satala, the only surviving castle on the eastern border of the Roman Empire and the only Roman Legion castle in Anatolia that can be excavated. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Türkiye's cultural heritage flourishes with surge in museums
The Turkish Statistical Institute (TUIK) has recently released its 2022 Cultural Heritage Statistics, showcasing a growth in the number of museums across the country. In 2022, Türkiye witnessed a 6.4% increase in its museum count compared to the previous year, bringing the total number to 552. Source: Daily Sabah
September 8, 2023
Beautiful’ Water-Nymph Marble Statue Found in Amastris ancient city
Excavations in the ancient city of Amastris, located in the Black Sea province of Bartın’s Amasra district, have unearthed a statue of a nymph thought to be 1800 years old. The artifact is set to be exhibited in the Amasra Museum soon. Source: Arkeonews
September 11, 2023
8,000-year-old Cave paintings found in Türkiye’s İnkaya Cave depict life and death
A number of cave paintings dating back some 8,000 years have been found in İnkaya cave in the Marmara province of Balıkesir during a field study conducted by Associate Prof. Dr. Derya Yalçıklı from Çanakkale (18th March) University. Source: Arkeonews
September 12, 2023
3500-year-old grape seed remains found in western Anatolia
Archaeologists at the Aşağıseyit Höyük (Aşağıseyit Mound) site in western Anatolia’s Denizli have uncovered a 3,500-year-old grape seed. Source: Arkeonews
September 13, 2023
It was revealed that in the Besni district of Adıyaman province, located in the Southeastern Anatolia Region of Turkey, the Romans dug a 150-meter-long water tunnel into the mountain 1,700 years ago to irrigate their lands with the water flowing from the river. Source: Arkeonews
September 14, 2023
Archaeologists Found Seal Impressions That Could Change Hittite History in Kayalıpınar
A seal impression belonging to Hattusili III was found during the excavations carried out near the village of Kayalıpınar in Yıldızeli district of Sivas province, located in the central Anatolia region of Türkiye. Source: Arkeonews
September 15, 2023
Inscription reveals Türkiye's strategic importance in maritime trade
A Customs Inscription from the Lycian civilization, located in Andriake (the ancient port of Myra) in the southern province of Antalya's Demre district, tells about ancient times, also reflects the importance of Türkiye’s geographical location in maritime trade thousands of years ago. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
September 16, 2023
Byzantine-Roman traces found in underground settlement
Excavations carried out in a 5,500-year-old underground rock settlement in the ancient city of Hadrianopolis in the Eskipazar district of Karabük have unearthed galleries and halls having traces of Byzantine and Roman life. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
September 18, 2023
Mass grave of children unearthed in ancient city
Archaeologists have unearthed a mass grave of children dating back to the fifth century in the ancient city of Savatra in the Central Anatolian province of Konya. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
September 19, 2023
Ancient city of Gordion enters UNESCO list
The ancient city of Gordion in Ankara's Polatlı district, one of the most important archaeological sites of the ancient era, has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Largest museum cleaned from traces of flood
Cleaning and restoration works of historical artifacts continue in the Şanlıurfa Archeology and Haleplibahçe Mosaic Museum, which was affected by the flood disaster that occurred on March 15 in the southeastern city, causing the death of 18 people and injuring 62 people. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
September 21, 2023
A new Indo-European Language discovered in the Hittite capital Hattusa
The Çorum Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism announced in a written statement that a new Indo-European language was discovered during excavations in the Boğazkale district of Çorum, which is home to Hattusa, the capital of the Hittites. Source: Arkeonews
September 22, 2023
Head of Alexander the Great bust found in Düzce
Archaeologists obtain new findings every day in the ancient city of Konuralp, where archaeological excavations have been ongoing for four years with the support of Düzce Municipality. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Hundreds of oil lamps discovered in Aigai, “the City of Goats”
During the ongoing excavations in the Aigai Ancient City, located near the Yuntdağı Köseler Village of Manisa province in western Türkiye, hundreds of oil lamps were found, the most recent of which is 1800 years old and the oldest of which is 2500 years old. Source: Arkeonews
September 24, 2023
Archaeologists find 2,000-year-old eyeshadow and blush in ancient Roman city of Aizanoi
Archaeologists discovered rare makeup products of 10 different colors and different sorts of hair accessories and jewelry during excavations at the ancient Roman city of Aizanoi in Türkiye’s Kütahya province, reports said Saturday. Source: Arkeonews
September 25, 2023
Pagan city Kremna comes to surface
The ancient city of Kremna in Burdur, known for its pagan temples, has been unearthed during archaeological excavations for two years. "Excavations are slowly making Kremna a point of attraction in the region," says the head of the excavations, Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University Professor Ayça Polat Becks. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
September 26, 2023
350-year-old Ottoman bath found in Çanakkale
A 350-year-old Ottoman bath has been unearthed by the excavation team in the ancient city of Parion in Kemer village of the northwestern province of Çanakkale’s Biga district. The ancient city has a history of 2,700 years and was an important port city during the Roman Empire era. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
September 30, 2023
New finds were discovered in Göbeklitepe and Karahantepe. At around 12,000 years old, Göbekli Tepe is the world’s oldest megalithic site – and it has a “sister site” called Karahantepe. Source: Arkeonews
