In September 2025, archaeologists in Turkey announced several major discoveries. In Cappadocia's Göreme region, a 5th-century necropolis was uncovered beneath a road, containing nearly 50 graves, rock-cut living spaces, and artifacts such as reliquary crosses, coins, and jewellery, with plans to transform the site into an archaeopark. Meanwhile, excavations at Phoenix Ancient City in Muğla revealed an Early Iron Age tumulus, stepped pyramidal tombs, Byzantine structures, and evidence of ancient farming and olive-oil production, while in Şanlıurfa a new site called Mendik Tepe — possibly older than Göbekli Tepe — was identified, showing early buildings that suggest permanent settlement and food storage practices. Finally, archaeologists working at Sagalassos, one of the cities of Pisidia, found a large building which likely hosted the organized activities of Roman-era associations roughly 1,800 years ago.
Turkish Archaeological News collects the most important, interesting and inspiring news from Turkish excavation sites. Here's the review for September 2025. Have we missed anything? Please let us know by using Contact tab!
September 1, 2025
Remarkable finds mark end of 2025 excavations at Phoenix ancient city
Archaeological research and documentation works at Phoenix Ancient City in the western province of Muğla’s Marmaris district have concluded for 2025, yielding remarkable discoveries that shed new light on the region. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Bergama to represent Türkiye in UNESCO youth campaign
The western province of İzmir’s Bergama district has been selected to represent Türkiye in the 2025 edition of UNESCO’s World Heritage Volunteers (WHV) Campaign, an international initiative aimed at promoting the preservation of cultural and natural heritage sites through youth engagement and community participation. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Egyptian god Pataikos figure unearthed in Türkiye's ancient city of Perre
Archaeologists working at Adiyaman's ancient city of Perre reported the discovery of a figure of Pataikos, an Egyptian deity, identified on a faience amulet (a nazarlik, meaning a protective charm). The find came from the site’s necropolis—an ancient cemetery—known locally as the “stairway of eternity.” Source: Türkiye Today
More than 50 Neolithic structures unearthed in Türkiye's Sayburc reveal daily life of early settlers
Archaeologists working in Sayburc, a Neolithic settlement near Sanliurfa in southeastern Türkiye, have brought to light more than 50 structures dating back around 12,600 years. The work is part of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s “Tas Tepeler (Stone Mounds) Project,” a large-scale initiative exploring sites linked to the wider Gobeklitepe culture. Source: Türkiye Today
September 2, 2025
Byzantine traces unearthed in 4,000-year-old Samuha settlement
Archaeological excavations in the ancient city of Samuha, one of the major Hittite centers located in central Türkiye, have revealed significant remains from the Early Byzantine period, including what is believed to be a communal burial site. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
T-shaped stones unearthed in Neolithic Türkiye settlement
More than 50 structures from the Neolithic period have been uncovered in excavations in southeastern Türkiye, being carried out within the scope of the Turkish Culture and Tourism Ministry's Stone Hills Project. Source: Daily Sabah
Search for the Battlefield of the 1101 Crusade Begins in Ereğli, Türkiye
Archaeologists and historians have launched a surface survey in Ereğli, Konya, to determine the exact location of the Battle of Ereğli, one of the decisive clashes of the Crusade of 1101. Source: Anatolian Archaeology
September 3, 2025
International Gordion Archeofilm Festival finalists announced
The event’s preliminary jury has revealed the shortlist for the second International Gordion Archeofilm Festival, with 12 films in the professional and 10 in the student category advancing to the final stage. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
3,000-year-old oven discovered in Türkiye's Arslantepe sheds light on ancient cooking traditions
Archaeologists excavating at Arslantepe Hoyuk (Mound) in Malatya, a site on the UNESCO World Heritage List, have uncovered a 3,000-year-old oven dating to the Late Hittite period. Source: Türkiye Today
September 4, 2025
Diyarbakır’s Atatürk Museum shines as world’s only obsidian-clad structure
Rising within the historic İçkale district of the southeastern province of Diyarbakır’s Sur district, the Atatürk Museum stands as a unique architectural landmark, distinguished by its rare use of volcanic glass. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Byzantium’s Forgotten Defense Line: The 1,500-Year-Old Anastasian Wall
Few visitors exploring Istanbul’s historic treasures know that 65 kilometers west of the city, hidden among forests and fields, lies one of Byzantium’s most ambitious but forgotten fortifications: the Anastasian Wall, also known as the Long Walls of Thrace. Source: Anatolian Archaeology
September 5, 2025
3,500-Year-Old ‘Kitchen Set’ Discovered at Karahöyük in Türkiye’s Central Anatolia
Archaeological excavations in Karahöyük, located in Konya’s Meram district, have revealed striking finds that shed light on everyday life in central Anatolia around 3,500 years ago. A complete kitchen set consisting of a jug, a plate, and a handled cup, along with silver plates wrapped in cloth, children’s toys, figurines, and cremation burials, has been brought to light. Source: Anatolian Archaeology
A 17th-century Ottoman war and trade ship has been uncovered from the depths of the Mediterranean Sea, rewriting maritime history with its dramatic sinking story and an extraordinary trove of artifacts. Struck in battle, driven ashore, and engulfed in flames before sinking, the vessel has resurfaced centuries later as the first fully excavated Ottoman-era shipwreck in Turkish waters. Source: Anatolian Archaeology
September 6, 2025
Seismic report sparks debate over Antalya museum closure
A dispute has erupted over an earthquake safety report concerning the Antalya Archaeology Museum, closed on July 16 after authorities declared it structurally unsafe, raising questions over whether the closure and planned demolition are justified. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Sagalassos ancient city to open for night visits in 2026
Work has begun to install a night-time system at the ancient city of Sagalassos in the southwestern province of Burdur’s Ağlasun, paving the way for visitors to explore the archaeological site after dark starting next year. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
In the Vezirköprü district of Samsun, northern Türkiye, Oymaağaç Höyük—identified over two decades of excavations as the Hittite sacred city of Nerik—has revealed new traces of the elusive Kaška people, one of Anatolia’s lesser-known indigenous groups. Recent finds, including architecture and pottery from the Middle Bronze Age and Iron Age, are offering unprecedented insights into the cultural landscape of the Black Sea’s interior. Source: Anatolian Archaeology
September 7, 2025
Mysterious T-Shaped Pillars and 50 Neolithic Structures Found in Sayburç, the Heart of Taş Tepeler
Archaeologists working in Şanlıurfa’s Sayburç settlement in southeastern Türkiye have unearthed a remarkable treasure from the deep past: over 50 Neolithic buildings, many still marked by the presence of mysterious T-shaped pillars. Source: Arkeonews
9,500-Year-Old Public Building with Red Floor Unearthed at Çayönü Tepesi, Türkiye
Archaeologists have unearthed a 9,500-year-old public building with a striking red-painted floor at Çayönü Tepesi, one of the world’s most important Neolithic settlements located in Ergani, Diyarbakır, southeastern Turkey. The discovery sheds light on the social and cultural life of some of the earliest farming communities during humanity’s transition from nomadic to settled life. Source: Arkeonews
Excavations at the ruins of Kevenli Castle in Van’s İpekyolu district have brought to light the largest known storage center in Van to date. Archaeologists uncovered 76 massive pithoi, each carefully marked with cuneiform measurements, providing rare insight into how the Urartians stored and recorded agricultural products such as oil, grain, and beverages. Source: Arkeonews
September 8, 2025
Archaeologists working in Türkiye’s southeastern Kulp district have uncovered the remains of a Roman-era church built around the mid-4th century A.D.. The discovery, made during excavations led by the Diyarbakır Museum Directorate, has provided striking evidence of Byzantine activity far beyond the traditional boundaries of the empire. Source: Anatolian Archaeology
September 9, 2025
Monastery sheds light on Byzantine life
A historic site in the Aksu district of the southern province of Isparta is offering important clues into the religious, cultural and social life of the Byzantine era. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Legacy of Ottoman shipbuilding endures in Bartın with handmade wooden yachts
Once renowned for building warships for the Ottoman fleet, the coastal district of Kurucaşile in the northern province of Bartın now sustains its centuries-old tradition of wooden craftsmanship by producing yachts and fishing boats. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Hidden structures of fortress revealed after centuries
Archaeological excavations launched last year at Asarkale fortress in the Bafra district of Samsun have uncovered cisterns, a temple, a stepped tunnel and other structures dating back to antiquity. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
3,500-Year-Old Human-Bodied, Eagle-Headed Seal Discovered in Central Türkiye
Archaeological excavations at Karahöyük in central Türkiye have led to a remarkable discovery: a 3,500-year-old human-headed, eagle-bodied seal. According to Assoc. Prof. Gonca Dardeniz Arıkan of Istanbul University, who leads the excavation, this rare artifact provides valuable insights into the religious beliefs and symbolic practices of ancient Anatolian societies, highlighting the interplay between daily life and spiritual traditions during the Bronze Age. Source: Arkeonews
Sayburç to Feature a Village Museum Showcasing Neolithic Heritage and Urfa’s Living Culture
In Şanlıurfa’s Sayburç, one of the key sites of Türkiye’s “Taş Tepeler Project,” archaeologists plan to preserve 9,000-year-old Neolithic remains while also creating a unique village museum that highlights the region’s mid-20th-century rural life. Source: Anatolian Archaeology
Rare 2,200-Year-Old Sun Dial Discovered at Aigai Ancient City in Türkiye
Archaeologists working in the ancient city of Aigai, one of Aiolis’ best-preserved settlements, have unearthed a remarkable Hellenistic-era sun dial dating back more than two millennia. The artifact, found in a single, undamaged piece inside the city’s Bouleuterion (council house), provides fresh evidence of the advanced scientific knowledge and artistic craftsmanship of the time. Source: Anatolian Archaeology
124 graves found in southeastern Türkiye reveal settlement’s 1,700-year history
Archaeological excavations in Türkiye’s southeastern province of Diyarbakir have uncovered new evidence that shifts the history of a centuries-old church and the settlement around it. Source: Türkiye Today
Türkiye's Zeugma Mosaic Museum welcomes 3.5M visitors in 14 years
One of the world’s largest mosaic museums, the Zeugma Mosaic Museum in Gaziantep, has welcomed more than 3.5 million visitors since its opening on Sept. 9, 2011. The museum is home to masterpieces such as the famous Gypsy Girl mosaic, the Mars statue, and Roman-era fountains, all originally discovered in villas near the banks of the Euphrates River. Source: Türkiye Today
September 10, 2025
Artifacts mark Turkish Republic’s anniversary
Celebrating the 102nd anniversary of the Turkish Republic, the Kayseri Archaeology Museum in the central Anatolian province has opened a special exhibition featuring 102 artifacts representing the city’s 6,000-year-old commercial legacy. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Ancient sling stones unearthed in Urartian castle excavations in eastern Anatolia [https://www.turkiyetoday.com/culture/ancient-sling-stones-unearthed-in-u...
Archaeologists working at Cavustepe Castle in the eastern Anatolian city of Van have uncovered a remarkable cache of sling stones once used in warfare, marking what experts describe as the first such discovery in Urartian archaeology. Source: Türkiye Today
Renowned historian Ilber Ortayli raises concerns over Selimiye Mosque restoration
Renowned historian Professor Ilber Ortayli has voiced serious concerns over the ongoing restoration of Selimiye Mosque in Edirne, Türkiye, one of the architectural masterpieces of the Ottoman era. He criticized the changes made to the mosque’s dome decorations, warning that the work carried out may not remain faithful to Mimar Sinan’s original design. Source: Türkiye Today
Historic Sinop Prison reopens as museum after major restoration
Türkiye’s cultural heritage has reached a new milestone with the reopening of the historic Sinop Prison as a museum following a comprehensive restoration project. Source: Türkiye Today
Experts Examine 2,000-Year-Old Roman-Era Woman’s Shoeprint Found in Sagalassos
In the ancient city of Sagalassos, located in Türkiye’s Burdur province, archaeologists are conducting a detailed study of a 2,000-year-old woman’s shoeprint preserved on a clay tile. The rare Roman-era find offers new insight into women’s roles in ancient society and will soon be recreated in full detail. Source: Anatolian Archaeology
September 11, 2025
Archaeological excavations at Izmir’s Old Smyrna suspended, inventories confiscated
According to Turkish media, Izmir’s long-running Old Smyrna (Bayrakli Hoyuk or Mound) dig was sealed by presidential decision, archaeologists were blocked from the site, and excavation inventories were seized; no reason has been shared and the future of research remains unclear. Source: Türkiye Today
New necropolis discovered in Cappadocia reveals 1500 year old graves, artifacts
A road connecting Goreme and Ortahisar that was closed to traffic in 2022 has led to a major archaeological discovery. Excavations led by the Nevsehir Museum Directorate and supported by Nevsehir Haci Bektas Veli University have uncovered nearly 50 graves along with living spaces and storage rooms carved into the rock. Source: Türkiye Today
British archaeologist unearths traces of past in Türkiye for 30 years
Professor Douglas Baird from the University of Liverpool has dedicated 30 years to excavations across Türkiye—from the world-famous Neolithic site of Catalhoyuk to the recently explored Mendik Tepe. Source: Türkiye Today
The ancient city of Tralleis in Aydın, Türkiye, will host its first-ever cultural event on September 25: the 3rd International Mythology Film Festival. Visitors will experience film screenings, concerts, and discussions amid the ruins of this once-thriving Roman-era city. Source: Anatolian Archaeology
Archaeological excavations at the İkiztepe Mound in Türkiye’s Samsun province, ongoing for over half a century, have uncovered Mediterranean mussel shells dating back to the 4th millennium BC. The discovery sheds light on ancient trade routes and Bronze Age dietary habits in northern Anatolia. Source: Anatolian Archaeology
Türkiye’s museums, archaeological sites welcome over 21.6M visitors in 8 months
Türkiye’s museums and archaeological sites attracted more than 21.6 million people in the first eight months of 2025, according to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Source: Türkiye Today
September 12, 2025
Ancient gladiator tomb in Bolu opens to public
The “Gladiator Tomb Monument,” discovered in the city center in the northwestern province of Bolu and added to the museum collection in 1987, has been opened to the public for the first time. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
UNESCO bid underway for Apollon Temple, Miletus
Preparations are now underway to include Didim’s Temple of Apollo and Miletus on the UNESCO World Heritage List. A meeting was held to define the application framework and prepare the dossier for Temple of Apollo and Miletus. A detailed work schedule was developed based on feedback and suggestions. Source: Voices Newspaper
Secrets of first city-state unveiled in eastern Anatolia
Arslantepe Hoyuk (Mound) in Malatya, a UNESCO World Heritage site and widely recognized as the birthplace of the first city-state in Anatolia, continues to shed light on how early state systems emerged. Source: Türkiye Today
September 13, 2025
Hittite flavors return to Istanbul tables as chef revives 3,000-year culinary language
Today in Istanbul, chef Necati Yilmaz is bringing that world back to life with an 11-course menu inspired by Hittite recipes, serving dishes that echo a language and a lifestyle spoken more than three millennia ago. Source: Türkiye Today
Early bronze age people in Zonguldak used coal to treat digestive illnesses
Academics from Zonguldak Bulent Ecevit University (BEU) have uncovered evidence about diseases and treatment methods of Early Bronze Age communities through their work in Inonu Cave. Source: Türkiye Today
Sefertepe excavations uncover 12 human skulls in Türkiye’s Tas Tepeler Project
Archaeologists working in the southeastern province of Sanliurfa have uncovered 12 human skulls dating back more than 10,000 years. The discovery was made at Sefertepe, one of the sites under the “Tas Tepeler (Stone Mounds) Project,” which investigates Neolithic settlements in the region. Source: Türkiye Today
Myra’s Roman Theatre to Be Rebuilt Using Original Stones in Antalya
The ancient city of Myra, one of the six leading cities of the Lycian League, is preparing to restore its iconic 11,000-seat Roman theatre to its original grandeur. Located in the Demre district of Antalya, Türkiye, the site is undergoing an ambitious conservation and restoration project under the Heritage for the Future initiative by the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Source: Anatolian Archaeology
September 15, 2025
Healing waters of Roman Empire to flow again after 1,850 years
A 1,850-year-old nymphaion (a monument built over a spring or fountain) in the ancient city of Myra in Antalya’s Demre district is set to regain its original function after centuries, as ongoing excavations and restoration works aim to bring the monumental structure back to life. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
World’s oldest mental hospital found underground in Cappadocia to open for visitors
Authorities in Türkiye have announced plans to restore and open to visitors a unique underground site in the Cappadocia region that once functioned as a monastery and, according to historical accounts, served as one of the world’s earliest mental hospitals. Source: Türkiye Today
Hidden Roman arena unearthed in Türkiye reveals secrets of emperor Hadrian’s era
In the heart of Bolu, Türkiye, archaeological discoveries have uncovered traces of Claudiopolis, an ancient Roman settlement that once thrived where the modern city now stands. Source: Türkiye Today
Newly Unearthed “North Temple” in Blaundos Reveals Ancient City’s Religious Continuity
Archaeologists have uncovered a monumental temple in the ancient city of Blaundos (modern Ulubey, Uşak, Türkiye), shedding light on the city’s religious and cultural life across centuries. The newly revealed North Temple, believed to date back nearly 1,900 years, was constructed on a high podium and remained in use well into the Byzantine era, making it a key discovery in the ongoing excavations of this remote yet strategically significant city. Source: Anatolian Archaeology
Historic Haydarpasa Station to become Istanbul’s new hub for culture, arts
Istanbul’s iconic Haydarpasa Station, long known as one of the city’s busiest railway terminals, is undergoing a major transformation. The landmark, situated on the Asian side of the city, will no longer serve only as a transportation hub but also as a leading center for culture and the arts. Source: Türkiye Today
100,000 artifacts from Antalya museum relocated ahead of demolition
Nearly 100,000 artifacts housed at the Antalya Archaeology Museum have been carefully relocated to secure storage facilities following the museum’s closure on July 16, after authorities deemed the building structurally unsafe. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Türkiye’s ancient legacy: 1st domestication of sheep, goats
Archaeological excavations at Aşıklı Höyük, a 10,000-year-old settlement located in the Cappadocia region of Central Anatolia, continue to shed light on the early stages of Neolithic human life. For the past 36 years, researchers have been exploring this ancient site, which provides critical insights into the transition from hunter-gatherer societies to settled agricultural communities. Source: Daily Sabah
September 16, 2025
Hasankeyf’s Great Palace to be fully unearthed
Archaeological excavations in the historic district of Hasankeyf in southeastern Türkiye will fully reveal the so-called “Great Palace” along with its adjoining structures during the new excavation season. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
The 32nd International Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival, organized by the General Directorate of State Opera and Ballet, opened on Sept. 14 with the opera “Turandot” by the Ankara and Antalya State Opera and Ballet directorates. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Divers explore wreck of 1933 Russian cargo ship off Türkiye's Black Sea coast
A team of divers has carried out an exploratory dive to the wreck of a Russian cargo ship that sank off the coast of Ordu in the Black Sea in 1933. Source: Türkiye Today
Archaeologists have uncovered a remarkable collection of 4,500-year-old human-shaped idols at Tavşanlı Höyük, one of the largest Bronze Age settlements in Western Anatolia. The discovery, announced by Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, includes marble, bone, and terracotta figures that provide unprecedented insights into the spiritual and domestic life of the Early Bronze Age. Source: Anatolian Archaeology
September 17, 2025
Ancient commercial life of Antiocheia in Hatay unearthed
Rescue excavations in the ancient city of Antiocheia in the southern province of Hatay have unearthed remains that shed light on the commercial life of the region in the fourth and fifth centuries. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Tlos’ stadium and shops to be restored to former glory
Restoration work is underway in the ancient city of Tlos, located in the Seydikemer district of Muğla, to revive the Roman-era stadium and its surrounding shops. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Hittite site in Türkiye yields 56 cuneiform tablets, 22 seal impressions
Archaeologists working at Kayalipinar, an ancient Hittite settlement in central Türkiye once known as Samuha, have unearthed 56 cuneiform tablets and 22 seal impressions in the latest excavation season. The discoveries shed light on state rituals, political structures, and religious practices in the late Bronze Age. Source: Türkiye Today
Gifted graves unearthed in northern Türkiye shed light on ancient burial traditions
Archaeologists working at the Ikiztepe Hoyuk (Mound) site in Türkiye’s northern Samsun province have uncovered two graves containing personal belongings, offering fresh insights into the burial practices of early Anatolian communities. Source: Türkiye Today
5,000-year-old human-faced pottery fragment unearthed in central Türkiye
Archaeologists in Türkiye have unearthed a striking pottery fragment carved with a human face at Gokhoyuk, an archaeological mound in the Seydisehir district of Konya province. The piece, estimated to be around 5,000 years old, is thought to have served a ritual purpose rather than everyday use. Source: Türkiye Today
15th-century Mevlevi lodge in Türkiye's Edirne set for restoration
Restoration efforts at Muradiye Mevlevihanesi are key to reestablishing Edirne, northwestern Türkiye, as a cultural hub, a local academic said. Source: Daily Sabah
September 18, 2025
8 chamber tombs discovered in Tharsa ancient city in Türkiye's Adiyaman
Eight chamber tombs have been uncovered in the ancient city of Tharsa in Türkiye’s southeastern Adiyaman province. Source: Türkiye Today
September 19, 2025
New discoveries at Corlu Castle highlight Thrace’s strategic past
Archaeologists have launched extensive rescue excavations at Corlu Castle, a medieval fortress in the Corlu district of Tekirdag province. Long believed to have been a strategic outpost during the Early Byzantine period, the castle is now the focus of a collaborative project led by the Tekirdag Museum Directorate in partnership with Namik Kemal University and the Corlu Municipality. Source: Türkiye Today
New study reveals pig taboos, sacred rituals in Hittite Anatolia
A groundbreaking doctoral thesis from Middle East Technical University (METU) has brought new insights into the cultural and religious role of pigs in Hittite society during the Late Bronze Age. The study by Ebru Gizem Ayten, titled “Hittite Pig Taboo and Pigs in Anatolia”, integrates zooarchaeological evidence with Hittite textual records to reveal a striking contradiction between religious restrictions and daily practices. Source: Türkiye Today
1,800-year-old stadium unearthed in Türkiye's ancient city of Syedra
Archaeologists in Türkiye have uncovered a stadium dating back 1,800 years in the ancient city of Syedra, located in the Alanya district of Antalya. The site, which has been continuously inhabited since the ninth century BCE, carries the architectural and cultural imprints of the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, and Anatolian Seljuk eras. Source: Türkiye Today
Ice Age discovery suggests route from Türkiye may have taken early humans to Europe
Ayvalik, now known for its olive groves and islands, looked very different during the Pleistocene Epoch between 2.58 million and 11,700 years ago. Sea levels dropped by more than 100 meters, exposing vast coastal plains that created continuous landmasses between Anatolia and Europe. Source: Türkiye Today
Life-size statue embedded in Gobeklitepe wall offers clues to 12,000-year-old rituals
Archaeologists at Türkiye’s Gobeklitepe have uncovered a human statue embedded inside a wall, a rare find that experts say offers new insight into the rituals and belief systems of the Neolithic period. Source: Türkiye Today
3,500-year-old hazelnut remains discovered in ancient Hittite city Nerik
Archaeological excavations in Oymaagac Mound, located in Vezirkopru district of Samsun, have uncovered 3,500-year-old hazelnut shells and kernels. The site has been identified, through cuneiform tablets, as the sacred Hittite city of Nerik. Source: Türkiye Today
Istanbul police seize artifacts stolen decades ago, arrest smugglers [https://www.dailysabah.com/turkiye/istanbul/istanbul-police-seize-artifa...
In Istanbul, operations targeting historical artifact smugglers led to the seizure of thousands of items, including a calligraphy panel by calligrapher Mehmet Sami Efendi (1837-1912), stolen from a mosque in Üsküdar 20 years ago and sought by Interpol. Source: Daily Sabah
September 20, 2025
On the shores of Lake Manyas in northwestern Türkiye, the ancient city of Daskyleion has revealed fresh insights into the daily life of its inhabitants. Archaeologists excavating the so-called “Lydian kitchen” uncovered two additional hearths, alongside seeds, fish bones, and animal remains. Among the discoveries were dog bones bearing cut marks, strengthening the argument that dog meat was once consumed in this Anatolian city. Source: Anatolian Archaeology
Fairy chimney collapses in Nevsehir's UNESCO World Heritage site
A section of a fairy chimney rock formation collapsed on Saturday morning in Nevsehir's Goreme district, with no casualties reported in the incident at the UNESCO World Heritage site. Source: Türkiye Today
September 21, 2025
Ancient storage, kitchen discovered in 2,200-year-old Turkish archaeological site [https://www.turkiyetoday.com/culture/ancient-storage-and-kitchen-discove...
Archaeologists have uncovered storage rooms and kitchen facilities at the ancient city of Timbriada (also known as Tymbrias or Timbrias or Tymbriada) in Türkiye's Isparta province, revealing new insights into the dietary culture and economic life of inhabitants from over 2,000 years ago. Source: Türkiye Today
Lost Temple Unearthed in Amasya: Built from Volcanic Rock, Absent from Ancient Records
Archaeologists in Türkiye have uncovered a mysterious 2,600-year-old temple at Oluz Höyük in Amasya—one that is absent even from the writings of ancient historians such as Herodotus and Strabo. The discovery sheds new light on Central Anatolia’s religious landscape during the Iron Age. Source: Anatolian Archaeology
Joint Turkish-Japanese dig aims to uncover historic secrets
Excavations recently launched at Ayanlar Höyük in Şanlıurfa as part of Türkiye’s Taş Tepeler Project have become the latest symbol of cultural collaboration between Türkiye and Japan. Source: Daily Sabah
September 22, 2025
Ancient recipes unearthed in ancient city revived
Ancient dishes discovered during excavations in the ancient city of Dülük in the southeastern province of Gaziantep are being reproduced today. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Gelibolu aims to attract 20,000 divers by 2026
In the western province of Çanakkale’s Gelibolu, authorities are setting their sights on turning the historical peninsula into a global hub for diving tourism, with a target of attracting 20,000 divers by 2026. In the Gelibolu Historical Underwater Park, 23 shipwrecks from the First World War have been made accessible following the area’s removal from its former military status. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Ayvalık: Forgotten Gateway Linking Anatolia and Europe in the Ice Age
A new archaeological study has placed the coastal town of Ayvalık, Türkiye, at the center of a story far older than its olive groves or islands suggest. Published in the Journal of Island and Coastal Archaeology, the research reveals that early humans may have reached Europe not only through the Balkans or the Levant, but also via a now-submerged land corridor crossing the northeastern Aegean. Source: Anatolian Archaeology
September 23, 2025
Dutch painter’s Bergama carpet revived in its homeland
A registered Bergama carpet depicted in a 17th-century painting by Dutch artist Pieter de Hooch is being woven anew in its place of origin. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
September 24, 2025
Seljuk-era tomb tower unearthed at Ani, unveiling an early Turkish-Islamic cemetery
Ani, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Kars, has yielded the remains of a Seljuk-era kumbet—a brick-built tomb tower—during ongoing excavations at five locations designed to bring both immovable and movable heritage to light. The newly identified structure lies in front of the Fethiye Mosque (Ani Cathedral), where, according to historical accounts, Sultan Alparslan led the first Friday prayer in Anatolia after the 1064 conquest. Source: Türkiye Today
Child and adult graves uncovered in Late Roman mosaic complex in central Türkiye
A Late Roman–Early Byzantine mosaic building in the Incesu district of Kayseri has yielded both a child’s and an adult’s grave, as excavations continue at the Orensehir site under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in cooperation with the Kayseri Metropolitan Municipality and Incesu Municipality. Source: Türkiye Today
Türkiye’s Sinop church brings history to life with its wall paintings
In Sinop, northern Türkiye, the 700-year-old historic church uncovered during excavations at the Balatlar Building Complex has been restored and now showcases wall paintings depicting scenes from both the Torah and the Bible, preserving traces of the past for present-day visitors. Source: Daily Sabah
Göbeklitepe Exhibition to Open in Berlin’s Museum Island with 96 Artifacts in 2026
Türkiye’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism has announced that Göbeklitepe, one of the world’s most iconic Neolithic sites and a UNESCO World Heritage property, will be presented in a major international exhibition in Germany. Source: Anatolian Archaeology
September 25, 2025
Experts call for detailed protection plan for heritage along Canal Istanbul path
A court-appointed expert report has warned that the planned Canal Istanbul project poses a risk to at least 25 cultural and historical heritage sites, including the prehistoric Yarimburgaz Cave, Roman-era water channels, and the Ottoman-era Terkos water system. Source: Türkiye Today
Roman bath culture surfaces at Türkiye's Sagalassos with traces of olive oil, cosmetics
Excavations at the ancient city of Sagalassos in Aglasun have brought to light how Romans used the public bath complex not only to wash but also to socialize, exercise, and unwind, as glass bottle shards and clay flasks yielded chemical traces of olive oil and cosmetics thought to be used for cleaning and massage. Source: Türkiye Today
September 26, 2025
Architectural remnants of Zeus Temple unearthed in Aizanoi
Archaeological excavations in the ancient city of Aizanoi, located in the western province of Kütahya's Çavdarhisar district, are bringing to light architectural remnants belonging to the Zeus Temple. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Archaeologists uncover Ottoman-era key at historic Bitlis Castle
Archaeological excavations at Bitlis Castle in southeastern Türkiye, a historic site that has hosted numerous civilizations throughout history, have uncovered an iron key believed to belong to the castle’s main entrance gate. The key measures 29 centimeters in length and features a double-toothed design. Source: Daily Sabah
Archaeological excavations continue at 5,000-year-old Smyrna Mound in Izmir
Archaeological excavations are underway at Smyrna Mound (Hoyuk), a 5,000-year-old mound located in the Bayrakli district of Izmir, western Türkiye. The site, also known as Old Smyrna, has long been regarded as one of the key settlements in the region’s ancient history. Source: Türkiye Today
Archaeologists working at the Neolithic settlement mound of Çayönü, in Ergani district of Diyarbakır, Türkiye, have unearthed six ancient burials—five from the Early Bronze Age, about 5,000 years old, and one dating back 11,000 years to the Neolithic period. The discovery provides crucial evidence of how one of humanity’s earliest farming communities buried and remembered their dead. Source: Anatolian Archaeology
5,000-Year-Old Ceramics Unearthed in İzmir’s Smyrna Mound Reveal Early Trade Links
Archaeologists working at the Bayraklı settlement mound in İzmir — known as Old Smyrna Mound — have uncovered ceramic vessels dating back 5,000 years, shedding light on the region’s role as an emerging hub of Early Bronze Age trade. Source: Anatolian Archaeology
September 27, 2025
Epipaleolithic-era beads unearthed in Direkli Cave
Excavations at Direkli Cave in the Onikişubat district of Kahramanmaraş, ongoing for 19 years, have uncovered a large number of ornamental beads believed to date back to the Epipaleolithic period. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
4,500-Year-Old Gold Brooch Unearthed in Troy: One of Only Three Known Examples Worldwide
Archaeological excavations at the legendary city of Troy have once again made global headlines. In 2025, ongoing digs at the UNESCO World Heritage Site revealed a discovery that scholars are calling one of the most important archaeological finds of the past century. Among the artifacts uncovered are a 4,500-year-old gold ring-shaped brooch, a rare jade stone, and a bronze pin, all dating back to the Early Bronze Age (around 2,500 BCE). Source: Arkeonews
Pergamon’s Red Basilica to welcome visitors again after restoration
The Red Basilica in the ancient city of Pergamon in Izmir’s Bergama district is moving toward a public reopening in 2026, as restoration, conservation and landscaping works continue under the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s “Heritage for the Future” project. Source: Türkiye Today
Türkiye halts disputed Selimiye Mosque restoration after public backlash
The restoration of the dome of Selimiye Mosque in Edirne, described by the celebrated Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan as his “masterpiece,” has been halted after public backlash and a legal challenge. Source: Türkiye Today
September 28, 2025
Centuries-old mosques in Trabzon restored to preserve heritage
Trabzon’s centuries-old stone and wooden mosques stand today as important cultural landmarks, preserved through careful restoration work that protects their historic character. Source: Daily Sabah
Türkiye recovers 83 Roman-era coins smuggled abroad in cooperation with US
Eighty-three Roman-era coins smuggled abroad through illegal means have been returned to Türkiye under a joint effort by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s Directorate General of Cultural Heritage and Museums and U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Source: Türkiye Today
Hera’s city in northwestern Türkiye set to welcome visitors in 2026
Tekirdag’s Heraion-Teikhos, known as “Hera’s city,” is being prepared to open to visitors next year, with project leads saying the move will lift local tourism thanks to new paths, a visitor route, and a digital-led information center. Source: Türkiye Today
Arslantepe Mound: New Clues to the World’s First State System
The ancient site of Arslantepe in Malatya, Türkiye, continues to reshape our understanding of early civilization. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2021, the mound has been excavated for over 65 years by Italian archaeologists and is recognized as the birthplace of one of the world’s earliest state systems. Source: Anatolian Archaeology
September 29, 2025
Archaeological excavations resume at Türkiye's Toprakkale Fortress after earthquake halt
Archaeological excavations and restoration works have resumed at Toprakkale Fortress in the southern province of Osmaniye, Türkiye, following a pause caused by the devastating earthquakes of February 2023. Source: Türkiye Today
Türkiye's ancient city of Sagalassos reveals evidence of organized associations going back 1,800
Archaeologists working at Sagalassos, one of the key cities of the ancient region of Pisidia, say a large building unearthed near dozens of workshops likely hosted the organized activities of Roman-era associations roughly 1,800 years ago. Source: Türkiye Today
Wealthy landowners’ Roman villas unearthed in Türkiye's Tralleis
Archaeologists in Aydin, Türkiye, are working to bring to light three villa complexes dating back about 2,000 years in the ancient city of Tralleis, revealing residences that opened onto a busy colonnaded street and doubled as production spaces. Source: Türkiye Today
Traces of the Lost Kingdom of Purušhanda: Three Ovens and Two Hearths Unearthed in Üçhöyük
Archaeologists working at Üçhöyük in Bolvadin, Afyonkarahisar (western Türkiye) have uncovered new evidence that may shed light on the long-sought lost kingdom of Purušhanda. This season’s excavations revealed three mudbrick-built ovens and two hearths, suggesting large-scale production activities dating back to the second millennium BCE. Source: Anatolian Archaeology
September 30, 2025
7,000-Year-Old Human Footprints in Anatolia: Unearthed at Hatay’s Tell Kurdu Höyük
In a rare and captivating discovery, archaeologists have uncovered ancient human footprints dating back approximately 7,000 years at the site of Tell Kurdu Höyük (Kurdu Mound), located in the Amuq Plain of southern Türkiye’s Hatay province, near the Syrian border. The footprints, believed to date to around 5200 BCE during the Ubaid Period, were found preserved in a water-saturated clay layer, and offer a vivid connection to life in prehistoric Anatolia. Source: Arkeonews
Roman-era philanthropist Menodora’s tomb discovered in Antalya’s Sillyon
Archaeological excavations at the ancient city of Sillyon in Antalya’s Serik district have uncovered the tomb of Menodora, a Roman-era woman renowned for financing public buildings and founding a charitable institution for children. Source: Türkiye Today
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