Among remarkable archaeological discoveries announced in August 2025 in Türkiye, it is worth mentioning the identification of a remarkable mortuary structure in Çatalhöyük, dubbed the “House of the Dead,” where the remains of 20 individuals were ritually placed. A recent archaeological breakthrough in the ancient city of İznik, formerly known as Nicaea, unveiled richly decorated Roman mosaics and burial plots that may have belonged to a high-ranking Roman general. Finally, archaeologists uncovered a series of cremation burials dating back around 3,000 years at Beçin Fortress in Milas, shedding new light on ancient funerary traditions in western Anatolia.
Turkish Archaeological News collects the most important, interesting and inspiring news from Turkish excavation sites. Here's the review for August 2025. Have we missed anything? Please let us know by using Contact tab!
August 1, 2025
Priene, Anatolia’s First Planned City, Poised for Permanent UNESCO World Heritage Listing
Located in Söke district of Aydın province, Türkiye, Priene Ancient City dates back to the 4th century BCE and stands as Anatolia’s earliest known planned city. With its strategic stone walls measuring 2 meters thick and a highly organized urban layout, Priene is now undergoing intensive efforts for permanent inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Source: Anatolian Archaeology
New Clues of a Late Byzantine Production Zone Uncovered at Kadıkalesi (Anaia) in Western Türkiye
Archaeological excavations at the historic site of Kadıkalesi (ancient Anaia) in Kuşadası, western Türkiye, have revealed compelling traces of glass and ceramic production dating back to the 13th century. Source: Anatolian Archaeology
Hestia statue displayed in Türkiye’s Manisa Museum
A Hellenistic-period statue of the goddess Hestia, unearthed during the 2005 excavations at the ancient city of Aigai in the Yunusemre district of Manisa, western Türkiye, is now on display at the Manisa Museum, which opened this year. Source: Daily Sabah
August 2, 2025
Revival of ancient glory: Assos Theater
The restoration project for the 2,200-year-old theater in the ancient city of Assos in western Türkiye is nearing completion, which will turn the site into one of the most important cultural destinations. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
2,050-year-old council building unearthed in Türkiye's Laodicea
Archaeologists in southwestern Türkiye have unearthed a remarkably preserved council building in the ancient city of Laodicea, shedding light on the political life of a city that once thrived under Roman rule. Source: Türkiye Today
Rare medieval pot discovered in Harran, a UNESCO tentative heritage site
Archaeologists in Türkiye’s Sanliurfa province have unearthed a nearly 900-year-old ceremonial pot at the ancient site of Harran, recognized as one of the world’s oldest settlements and listed on UNESCO’s World Heritage Tentative List. Source: Türkiye Today
August 3, 2025
A 2.7-meter-tall marble statue of the goddess Hestia, discovered in 2005 during excavations at the ancient city of Aigai in western Türkiye, is now on display for the first time. Believed to be the only known Hestia statue from the Hellenistic period that has survived to the present day, it is showcased in a specially designed hall at the newly opened Manisa Archaeology Museum. Source: Anatolian Archaeology
August 4, 2025
Türkiye's Diyarbakır grave excavation reveals historic mosaic
During the examination of the mosaic found during a grave excavation in Ergani district of Diyarbakır, southeastern Türkiye, a star symbol containing a cross motif and Greek inscriptions was detected. Source: Daily Sabah
3,500-year-old Hittite bread brought back to life by women’s cooperative in Türkiye
In the historic province of Corum, which once hosted the Hittite capital Hattusa, an ancient bread described on 3,500-year-old clay tablets has been brought back to life by a local women’s cooperative. Known as “Hittite bread,” the loaf has been recreated using organic ingredients and traditional methods, offering a direct link to one of Anatolia’s earliest civilizations. Source: Türkiye Today
Ancient Mosaics Unearthed in İznik Hint at Residence of Roman General
A recent archaeological breakthrough in the ancient city of İznik, formerly known as Nicaea, has unveiled richly decorated Roman mosaics and burial plots that may have belonged to a high-ranking Roman general. The discovery is shedding new light on the elite lifestyle and urban development of this strategically vital Anatolian city during the Roman Empire. Source: Arkeonews
August 5, 2025
Excavations resume at ancient Hittite capital
Archaeological excavations have resumed at Hattusha, the capital of the Hittite Empire and one of Türkiye’s most important ancient sites, located in the Boğazkale district of the central province of Çorum. This year marks the 119th excavation season at the site, which has been unearthed with intermittent breaks since 1906. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Exhibition traces 3,500-year journey of iron
An exhibition exploring the 3,500-year history of iron in Anatolia has opened at the Boğazköy Museum in Çorum. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Urartian-Era Fortress with 50 Rooms Discovered at 3,000 Meters in Eastern Türkiye
Archaeologists uncover a massive high-altitude fortress believed to date back to the Iron Age, with ties to the ancient Urartian civilization. Source: Arkeonews
Bilkent University Takes Over Excavations at Ancient Sagalassos, the Summit of Pisidia
One of the most ambitious archaeological transitions in Türkiye has taken place in the ancient city of Sagalassos, nestled high in the Taurus Mountains. Bilkent University has officially assumed the directorship of the Sagalassos excavations from the Catholic University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Belgium, after 35 years of continuous research. The project is now led by Dr. Peter Talloen, Head of the Department of Archaeology at Bilkent University and a long-time member of the Sagalassos team. Source: Anatolian Archaeology
Sobesos site sheds light on urban history of Cappadocia
Excavations at the ancient city of Sobesos, located in the Şahinefendi village of Nevşehir’s Ürgüp district, are providing new insights into the urban development of the Cappadocia region. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
August 6, 2025
600-year-old masjid unearthed in Türkiye’s Cappadocia
A600-year-old masjid dating to the late Anatolian beylik period has been discovered in the Taşkınpaşa village of Ürgüp, Nevşehir, during cleaning work in a rock-carved storeroom, researchers said Tuesday. Source: Daily Sabah
Ancient tablets reveal Urartian fortress in Türkiye was ‘city sacred to Haldi’
Archaeologists working in eastern Türkiye have deciphered ancient inscriptions that identify the site of Korzut Fortress as Haldi Patari, meaning “the city sacred to Haldi,” shedding new light on the significance of this Urartian stronghold. Source: Türkiye Today
August 7, 2025
Dark Church frescoes draw over 1 million visitors
More than 1 million people have visited the Karanlık Kilise (Dark Church), a centuries-old rock-cut church known for its vivid frescoes, over the past 10 years in Türkiye’s Cappadocia region, official data shows. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
‘Golden Age of Archaeology’ exhibition opens in Ankara with Marcus Aurelius statue on display
A new exhibit entitled "The Golden Age of Archaeology" was inaugurated on Wednesday in the Turkish capital Ankara featuring a statue of Marcus Aurelius and 485 artifacts from various ancient sites, all on display for the first time. Source: Anadolu Ajansı
Restoration of 1,600-year-old quake-hit church completed in Diyarbakır
The historic Saint George Church, a 1,600-year-old landmark in Diyarbakır’s İçkale district, is set to reopen on Aug. 10 as a cultural venue following extensive restoration work prompted by the devastating Feb. 6, 2023, earthquakes that hit Türkiye’s south. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Roman Emperor’s Shadow Appears in Aspendos: 1,700-Year-Old Statue Head Found
A marble head believed to depict a Roman emperor has been unearthed during excavations at the ancient city of Aspendos in southern Türkiye. The piece is thought to date to the late 3rd century AD and reflects a rare blend of Roman realism and Hellenistic artistry. Source: Anatolian Archaeology
August 8, 2025
Restored section opened at Topkapı Palace
The Karaağalar Ward, located within the Harem section of Istanbul’s Topkapı Palace and operated by Türkiye’s Presidency of National Palaces, has opened to visitors for the first time in its history following the completion of a detailed restoration project. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Byzantine bath digitally documented for restoration
A detailed architectural survey has been completed for a 1,700-year-old Byzantine bath located in the Termal district of Yalova, shedding light on the structure’s origins and paving the way for future restoration efforts. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Ancient perfume bottles resurface from 11th-century shipwreck off Turkish coast
Underwater archaeologists in Türkiye have uncovered a remarkable set of 15 glass perfume bottles from a shipwreck believed to be more than 1,000 years old, lying off the coast of Kas in southern Türkiye. The ship, thought to be a commercial vessel of Eastern Mediterranean origin, is estimated to have sunk around the 10th or 11th century. Source: Türkiye Today
At the heart of Uşaklı Höyük (Uşaklı Mound), archaeologists have uncovered the “Lost Children’s Circle” — a mysterious Hittite-era ritual structure where the remains of seven infants lay hidden for over three millennia. Source: Arkeonews
Mysterious 2,200-Year-Old Galatian Spear from Hattusa Goes on Display for the First Time
A unique 2,200-year-old iron spear, unearthed in the ancient Hittite capital of Hattusa, is now on public display for the first time. The weapon, unlike anything else found in Anatolia, is the centerpiece of the “Hapalki: Iron” exhibition at the Boğazköy Museum in Türkiye’s Çorum province. Source: Anatolian Archaeology
Türkiye revives ancient city of Side, illuminating history
In the ancient city of Side, located in the Manavgat district of Antalya, southern Türkiye, ongoing investments are not only uncovering the historical texture but also offering visitors a unique visual experience. Source: Dialy Sabah
August 9, 2025
Göbeklitepe to reveal renewed face by September
The world’s oldest known temple complex, Göbeklitepe in Türkiye’s southern province of Şanlıurfa, is set to welcome visitors with a new look by late September, following an extensive restoration and reconstruction effort aimed at preserving and enhancing the site. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Cross-Carved Ancient Rock-Cut Tomb Officially Registered in Suruç, Türkiye
A recently identified rock-cut tomb in the Köseveli neighborhood of Suruç, Şanlıurfa, has been officially recorded as part of the province’s cultural heritage inventory. The registration was carried out under an ongoing documentation project aimed at cataloging all historical landmarks in the region. Source: Anatolian Archaeology
August 11, 2025
Van to register, protect prehistoric rock carvings found at 3,000 meters
Authorities have launched a process to register and protect prehistoric rock carvings discovered in the Tirişin Plateau in the eastern province of Van’s Gürpınar district, at an altitude of 3,000 meters. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Water flows after 1,900 years in Türkiye's Stratonikeia bath
In the Roman bath at the ancient city of Stratonikeia, located in the Yatağan district of Muğla, in southwestern Türkiye, water has flowed into the pool again after nearly 1,900 years, following the completion of excavation and restoration work. Source: Daily Sabah
August 12, 2025
Sealed Ayanis Fortress could keep yielding Urartian treasures for centuries
Excavations at the exceptionally preserved Urartian fortress of Ayanis, ongoing for 38 years, continue to unearth significant finds that shed light on the region’s ancient history. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
‘Artificial cave’ in Şanlıurfa revealed as historic rock-cut tomb
Recent investigations in the Suruç district of the southern province of Şanlıurfa have revealed that a rock formation in a pistachio field, thought for years by locals to be a simple cave, is an ancient rock-cut tomb dating back thousands of years. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Six-year project to preserve Turkish-Islamic tombstones
The Culture and Tourism Ministry has embarked on a landmark six-year project aimed at reading, documenting, restoring and conserving tombstones from the Turkish-Islamic period, notably involving the creation of a comprehensive digital archive and compiling an extensive body of work to be passed down to future generations. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Ancient settlement in Türkiye's Mugla reveals life 5,300 years ago
Archaeological excavations at Caltilar Hoyuk, a mound in Türkiye’s southwestern province of Mugla, are shedding light on life in the region over five millennia ago. Ceramic finds and carbon dating analyses from the site indicate that its first inhabitants settled there around 3,300 BCE, when the area was still a marshland. Source: Türkiye Today
August 14, 2025
Medieval Masterpiece: Rare Jesus Christ Relief from Ani Ruins Unveiled After 130 Years
A significant archaeological artifact depicting Jesus Christ has been put on public display for the first time at the Kars Archaeology and Ethnography Museum. The stone relief, originally excavated in 1892 from the ancient Ani Ruins, had been preserved in the museum’s storage for over a century before finally being exhibited. Source: Arkeonews
Amos excavation in Marmaris brings plastered walls, mosaics to light
Excavations at the ancient theatre of Amos, located in Türkiye's Marmaris district, are progressing rapidly, shedding new light on daily life in the historic city. Source: Türkiye Today
August 15, 2025
Archaeologists Uncover Monumental 2,800-Year-Old Lydian Palace in Sardis, Birthplace of Money
Archaeologists excavating the UNESCO World Heritage site of Sardis, located in the Salihli district of Manisa, Türkiye, have uncovered the remains of a monumental Lydian palace dating back to the 8th century BCE. The find not only pushes back the known timeline of Lydian urbanization but also challenges long-standing assumptions about the civilization’s origins and architectural prowess. Source: Arkeonews
Looted Roman columns and Ottoman relics found in Antalya shop priced up to $980
Authorities in Türkiye’s Antalya province have launched an investigation after cultural heritage items dating back to the Roman and Ottoman periods were found for sale in a workshop in Manavgat. Source: Türkiye Today
Sirkeci Station: Last stop of famous Orient Express becomes a cultural hub
One of Istanbul’s most famous train stations, Sirkeci, is getting a full makeover. The Ministry of Culture and Tourism is restoring its roof, colourful glass windows, walls, and historic rooms so they look just like they did in the past. Source: Türkiye Today
Archaeologists uncover earliest houses on Kultepe mound in central Türkiye
Archaeologists working at the Kultepe Kanesh-Karum archaeological site in central Türkiye, a site whose history stretches back 6,000 years, have unearthed private houses on the main mound for the first time in decades of work. Source: Türkiye Today
August 16, 2025
Historic inn still welcomes guests
The Mahperi Hatun Caravanserai, commissioned in 1238 by Mahperi Hatun, wife of Anatolian Seljuk Sultan Alaeddin Keykubad I and mother of Gıyaseddin Keyhüsrev II, continues to welcome visitors in Tokat’s Pazar district 787 years after its construction. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
August 17, 2025
1,600-Year-Old Saint George Church in Diyarbakır Reopens as Art Gallery After Earthquake Restoration
In Diyarbakır’s historic İçkale district, the 1,600-year-old Saint George Church has risen again after suffering severe damage in the devastating earthquakes of February 6, 2023. Originally built in the 4th century CE by the Romans as an administrative church, the structure will reopen on August 10 as an art gallery. Source: Anatolian Archaeology
Archaeologists Uncover Double-Headed Ritual Hearths in Anatolia’s Tadım Mound
Governor Numan Hatipoğlu announced on his official X account that archaeologists at Tadım Castle and Mound (Tadım Höyük) have uncovered rare double-headed sacred hearths, a discovery that sheds light on the spiritual rituals of ancient Anatolia. The find, along with decorated pottery and altar remains, marks one of the most significant breakthroughs of the ongoing excavations in Elazığ. Source: Arkeonews
Archaeologists explore prehistoric traces in Andik Cave, northwestern Türkiye
Balikesir’s Havran district is hosting a meticulous archaeological effort as researchers trace the region’s ancient past in Andik Cave. Source: Türkiye Today
August 18, 2025
4 Roman-era tombs unearthed at Sillyon ancient city in Antalya
Archaeologists have uncovered four tombs from the Roman period during excavations at the ancient city of Sillyon in Antalya’s Serik district. Source: Türkiye Today
August 19, 2025
Traces of World War I found in Old Van City
Excavations in the Old Van City, located south of the historic Van Castle that carries the legacy of many civilizations, have uncovered numerous cannonballs and bullet casings dating back to World War I. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Turks ask Troy archaeologist Korfmann's grave relocation, as site under threat in Germany
The grave of German archaeologist Manfred Osman Korfmann, long known as the driving force behind the Troy excavations in northwestern Türkiye, is at risk of removal in his hometown of Ofterdingen after the 20-year use period on his burial plot expired. According to Hurriyet from Türkiye, local officials and scholars in Canakkale have moved to seek an extension or, if necessary, to bring his remains to Türkiye in line with his stated wish. Source: Türkiye Today
Ancient toys, seals and a bone pen unearthed at Turkmen Karahoyuk in Türkiye
Excavations at Turkmen Karahoyuk, near Cumra in central Türkiye, have yielded eye-catching finds, including children’s toys, seals, a clay die, a bathtub, and a pen carved from animal bone. Source: Türkiye Today
Archaeologists marking the 20th year of excavations at Oymaagac Hoyuk—identified as the Hittites’ sacred city of Nerik in Türkiye—say a 3,000-year-old hazelnut shell and a rare wooden hoe have turned up among a cache of organic finds. Source: Türkiye Today
Middle Phrygian ritual area uncovered at Türkiye's Midas Fortress
Atargeted excavation in front of the monumental Phrygian rock‑cut altar at Yazilikaya/Midas Fortress has brought out a ritual preparation area: rock‑cut bowls, hearths used to cook sacrificial animals, an abstract idol of the Mother Goddess Matar, and a sequence of ceramics showing use from the Middle Phrygian period into Hellenistic and Roman times. Source: Türkiye Today
August 20, 2025
Ancient Bread Mold Unearthed in Harran Reveals 800-Year-Old Culinary Traditions
Long celebrated as a cradle of science and philosophy, Harran has now offered a rare glimpse into its everyday life. Archaeologists working in the ancient city in southeastern Türkiye have uncovered an 800-year-old bread mold decorated with distinctive diamond-shaped patterns. Source: Anatolian Archaeology
August 21, 2025
Fifth tomb discovered in Direkli Cave excavations
Excavations that have been ongoing since 2007 in Direkli Cave, located in the Döngel neighborhood of Kahramanmaraş’s Onikişubat district, have revealed a fifth rectangular-shaped tomb. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
A team working at the ancient city of Satala in Sadak village, Kelkit district of Gumushane province, Türkiye, has uncovered nine female burials in a necropolis that had been thought to contain mainly male military graves. Source: Türkiye Today
August 22, 2025
Türkiye applies nanotechnology to protect ancient statues on Mount Nemrut
Authorities in Türkiye have begun a large-scale preservation project for the colossal statues on Mount Nemrut using nanotechnology. The effort aims to protect the two-thousand-year-old stone heads from further erosion caused by wind, snow, and sun. Source: Türkiye Today
5,200-Year-Old Climate Adaptation Strategies Unearthed at Küllüoba in Türkiye
Archaeologists in Eskişehir, Türkiye, have uncovered remarkable evidence of how early Bronze Age communities adapted to climate challenges more than 5,000 years ago. Excavations at Küllüoba Höyük, a site continuously studied since 1996, reveal that the settlement—dating to 3200–3300 BCE—was not only carefully planned but also strategically designed to withstand harsh environmental conditions. Source: Anatolian Archaeology
After a 6,000-Year-Old Temple, Roman-Era Road Discovered at Tadım Castle
Archaeologists excavating Tadım Castle, located 12 kilometers south of Elazığ, have uncovered a Roman-era stone-paved road, believed to have been used by kings or members of the nobility. The road features edge curbs and carefully laid paving stones, indicating it was reserved for high-ranking individuals of the period. Source: Anatolian Archaeology
August 23, 2025
Underwater archaeologists reveal 5,300-year layers at Liman Tepe in Izmir’s ancient port
Underwater archaeologists working off the coast of Urla in Izmir have reached cultural layers dating back 5,300 years at Liman Tepe, one of Türkiye’s earliest gateways to the Aegean. Source: Türkiye Today
Life around world’s largest underground Mithras temple comes into focus at Türkiye's Doliche
Archaeologists in Gaziantep are shifting this season’s work at the ancient city of Doliche toward the homes clustered around its vast Mithras temple, aiming to reveal how residents lived beside one of the Roman era’s most important places of worship. Source: Türkiye Today
Traces of Lydia in Sardis: A 2,700-Year-Old City Opens to Visitors for the First Time
Rising from the fertile plains of the Gediz Valley, Sardis stretches across time like a vast cultural mosaic. The towering columns of the Temple of Artemis, the grandeur of Roman baths, and the largest ancient synagogue of its era—this is Manisa’s Salihli district in western Türkiye. Yet the true heart of this ancient city, the remains of the Lydian civilization, has long been hidden from view—until now. Source: Anatolian Archaeology
August 24, 2025
Centuries-old Ottoman shipwreck unearthed in Mediterranean: Türkiye's Culture Ministry
An Ottoman ship that sank in the Mediterranean centuries ago has been uncovered with its cargo and military supplies intact, offering the first detailed underwater archaeological evidence of the empire’s naval presence and trade activity in the 17th century, Türkiye's Culture and Tourism Ministry announced on Sunday. Source: Türkiye Today
Women Lead the Way in Excavations at Heraion-Teikhos, the “City of Hera” in Thrace
In Tekirdağ, northwestern Türkiye, archaeological excavations at Heraion-Teikhos—one of the most significant settlements of the Thracian civilization—are highlighting the vital role of women. Supported by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism under the “Heritage for the Future Project,” the dig is bringing ancient history to light with the help of local women workers. Source: Anatolian Archaeology
August 25, 2025
Underfloor Heating System Discovered in 1,700-Year-Old Roman Bath
Archaeologists in eastern Türkiye have uncovered a 1,700-year-old Roman bathhouse equipped with an advanced underfloor heating system, shedding new light on Roman engineering and daily life in the region. Source: Arkeonews
Health Museum welcomes visitors at night
The Sultan Bayezid II Complex Health Museum, which displays Ottoman-era medical education and treatment methods, has begun welcoming visitors in the evenings as part of the “night museum” initiative. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Ancient Roman room turned into baptistery unearthed at Antandros in Türkiye
Archaeologists working at the ancient city of Antandros in Balikesir’s Edremit district have uncovered a Roman villa room that was later converted into a Christian baptistery, a discovery they say will shed light on the history of Christianity in the region. Source: Türkiye Today
Türkiye's Arslantepe rebuilds quake-hit Late Hittite walls as digs reveal capital’s defenses
Restoration is pushing ahead on Late Hittite-era walls at Arslantepe Mound, a 7,000-year-old UNESCO World Heritage site in eastern Türkiye’s Malatya province, after the 2023 earthquakes damaged the fortifications. Source: Türkiye Today
2,000-Year-Old Bronze Arm with Ring on Finger Goes on Display for the First Time After 45 Years
A 2,000-year-old Roman bronze arm, featuring a ring on its finger, has gone on public display for the first time in 45 years at the İzmir Archaeology Museum. The artifact, discovered off the coast of Foça in 1980, had remained in storage until recently, when it underwent careful restoration. Source: Anatolian Archaeology
Temple dedicated to Demeter unearthed in Aigai
A temple dedicated to Demeter, known in Greek mythology as the goddess of soil and fertility, is being unearthed during ongoing excavations in the ancient city of Aigai, which dates back to the eighth century BCE. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
August 26, 2025
One of the World’s Oldest Streets Unearthed at Canhasan 3 in Türkiye, Dating Back 9,750 Years
Excavations at Canhasan 3 Höyük in Karaman province revealed one of the earliest known streets of the Neolithic Age, dating back nearly 9,750 years—predating the world-renowned Çatalhöyük by about 750 years. Source: Arkeonews
3,000-Year-Old Cremation Burials and Ritual Fire Site Unearthed in Muğla, Türkiye
Archaeologists have uncovered a series of cremation burials dating back around 3,000 years at Beçin Fortress in Milas, Muğla, shedding new light on ancient funerary traditions in western Anatolia. The discovery was made during excavations led by Prof. Dr. Kadir Pektaş from Istanbul Medeniyet University. Source: Anatolian Archaeology
August 27, 2025
Gokceada dig brings to light five 8,800 year old houses on Türkiye’s western edge
Archaeologists working at Ugurlu-Zeytinlik Hoyuk on the island of Gokceada have brought to light five architectural structures dated to around 8,800 years ago, revealing how the first farming communities on the Aegean islands began to build and live. Source: Türkiye Today
August 28, 2025
Main street of Sillyon ancient city unearthed
Excavations at the ancient city of Sillyon in the Serik district of Antalya have unearthed the main street used during the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk, Beylik and Ottoman periods, which is now being brought to tourism. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Mendik Tepe emerges before Gobeklitepe as earliest Neolithic layers come to light in Türkiye
Archaeologists working under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s Tas Tepeler (Stone Mounds) Project say Mendik Tepe near Sanliurfa is likely earlier than both Gobeklitepe and Karahantepe, bringing out traces from the very beginning of the Neolithic, the era when communities moved into settled life. Source: Türkiye Today
Ancient relief-carved stone depicting Apollo’s son discovered during park works in Türkiye's Denizli
A relief-carved stone slab, stele, or stela (an upright stone used in antiquity for inscriptions or images), was uncovered during landscaping in the Ismailler neighborhood of Cal district, Denizli, Türkiye. Source: Türkiye Today
2,000-Year-Old Roman Pool Still Supplies Water in Satala, Türkiye
In the Kelkit district of Gümüşhane, the Satala Ancient City houses a remarkable 2,000-year-old Roman pool that once served Roman legionaries and still meets the drinking and irrigation needs of the nearby Sadak village. Source: Anatolian Archaeology
Türkiye’s Third-Largest Odeon Unearthed in Ancient City of Sagalassos
Excavations in the ancient city of Sagalassos, located in Burdur’s Ağlasun district, are revealing a monumental odeon buried nearly four meters underground. Archaeologists report that once fully unearthed, the structure will become the third-largest odeon in Türkiye, after those at Ephesus and Kibyra. Source: Anatolian Archaeology
Excavations at Mendik Tepe, a prehistoric site in southeastern Türkiye, are advancing rapidly and may reveal evidence older than Göbekli Tepe, the UNESCO World Heritage site widely regarded as the “zero point of history.” Source: Anatolian Archaeology
Neolithic Twin of Knossos: First 8,800-Year-Old Architectural Remains Unearthed on Gökçeada
Archaeologists excavating the Uğurlu-Zeytinlik Mound on Türkiye’s westernmost island in the Aegean Sea, Gökçeada (Imbros), have uncovered something never before seen in Aegean prehistory: the first architectural remains belonging to the earliest farming communities of the Aegean Islands. Source: Arkeonews
August 29, 2025
8,000-Year-Old Fox-Clad Male Figurine Unearthed in Izmir, Türkiye
Archaeologists working at Ulucak Höyük in Kemalpaşa, İzmir, have uncovered an extraordinary Neolithic figurine: a 9-centimeter clay male figure wearing a fox pelt, dated to approximately 8,000 years ago. The discovery offers fresh insights into the symbolic and ritual life of early Anatolian communities. Source: Anatolian Archaeology
Green light to conquer Troy: Canakkale puts historic Trojan Horse on traffic lights
Canakkale Municipality has begun using a Trojan Horse figure on traffic lights in the city’s shopping mall area—after a proposal first floated by Troy Museum over a year ago drew quick support from the mayor. Source: Türkiye Today
August 30, 2025
Kahramanmaraş Museum reopens after earthquake restoration
The Kahramanmaraş Archaeology Museum, which reflects the deep-rooted history of the southeastern Turkish city, has reopened its doors following extensive restoration and reorganization after being damaged in the devastating Feb. 6, 2023, earthquakes. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Nestled in the Konya Plain of central Türkiye, Çatalhöyük, a 9,000-year-old Neolithic settlement and UNESCO World Heritage Site, continues to reveal extraordinary insights into humanity’s earliest urban experiments. Recent archaeological excavations led by Turkish and international teams have uncovered new evidence suggesting that social transformation drove ancient inhabitants to migrate from the eastern to the western mound of the settlement. At the same time, researchers have identified a remarkable mortuary structure, dubbed the “House of the Dead,” where the remains of 20 individuals were ritually placed. Source: Arkeonews
August 31, 2025
The Diyarbakır Museum has unveiled ram and sheep-shaped tombstones that had remained in storage for 91 years. These sculpted stones, carved from basalt and limestone, were not only markers of the dead but also symbols of identity, gender, and social status in medieval Anatolia. Source: Anatolian Archaeology
Rare Mosaics Seized in Gaziantep: 3 Detained in Historic Artifact Operation
In Gaziantep’s Nurdağı district, Turkish gendarmerie officers conducted an operation that resulted in the seizure of two rare mosaics and the detention of three suspects. Source: Anatolian Archaeology
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