March 2019 in Turkish archaeology

Submitted by Iza on Mon, 04/01/2019 - 09:20

March 2019 saw the archaeological site of Arslantepe getting ready for the UNESCO World Heritage List. Meanwhile, some amazing discoveries were made in the area of Turkey, including the statue of Emperor Trajan in Laodicea on the Lycus and a large pithos found by a farmer plowing his field in Niğde province. Moreover, the new Troy Museum was finally opened.

Miletus

Submitted by Iza on Mon, 03/25/2019 - 09:20

Judging by the modest number of tourists reaching the ruins of Miletus, it is hard to believe that in the antiquity it was one of the most important cities of the region, in its heyday challenging the power of Ephesus. Founded by the Greeks on the coast of Asia Minor, Miletus will be remembered in the annals of history as the birthplace of mathematician Thales and two famous philosophers, Anaxagoras and Anaximander. Miletus was also one of the oldest and most important Greek cities of Ionia, boasting not one, but four harbors. Today, the crowds of sightseers from all over the world rub shoulders in Ephesus, leaving the pleasure of discovering the secrets of Miletus to small groups of curious visitors who manage to reach this site.

Hoşap Castle

Submitted by Iza on Wed, 03/13/2019 - 07:56

Hoşap Castle is an imposing fortification and the main tourist attraction of Güzelsu village near Van in Eastern Turkey. Perching dramatically over the road connecting Van and Hakkari, the castle has been recently renovated and can now be visited if you can attract the attention of the custodian who can open its gates. The castle's name in Kurdish is Kela Xoşabê, and it means Beautiful Water Castle. This name is reflected in the Turkish name of the village as Güzelsu also means Beautiful Water. Naturally, both names come from the river that flows nearby.

February 2019 in Turkish archaeology

Submitted by Iza on Fri, 03/01/2019 - 08:51

February 2019 was a month when many promises were made, including the extension of the Hatay Archaeology Museum and turning Tevfikiye into an archaeology village depicting the Troy era. Moreover, Turkish Police forces were busy capturing smugglers of ancient artefacts such as a collection of ancient Hebrew manuscripts.

New Edition of Faint Whispers from the Oracle has just been published

Submitted by Iza on Wed, 02/27/2019 - 15:37

We are happy to announce that the second edition of Faint Whispers from the Oracle is now available on Amazon. Four additional chapters about the latest developments concerning the Temple of Apollo in Didyma and its immediate surroundings have been added. The new edition of this guidebook has also been thoroughly revised and updated. The guidebook is now available on Amazon not only as an ebook but also in the paperback version. Additionally, it is possible to get the ebook version from Google Play.

This book offers a unique insight into the remarkable Greco-Roman archaeology which surrounds the Temple of Apollo at Didyma, the second most important oracular sanctuary in antiquity. The author has expunged the stuffy and meticulous language of the academicians to breathe vibrancy into the narrative which brings to light the complexities of both the ancient world and the ongoing conundrums afflicting the archaeological site today.