February 2025 in Turkish archaeology

Submitted by Iza on Sat, 03/01/2025 - 14:45

In February 2025, the groundbreaking genetic research was announced, tracing the origins of domesticated sheep back to Türkiye’s Aşıklı Höyük. Meanwhile, during restoration works conducted at the Harem section of Topkapi Palace, experts uncovered intriguing finds beneath the floor tiles of the Kizlar Agasi room. These included silver and gold coins, earrings, rings, and various jewellery pieces, as well as amulets, talismans, and letters. Finally, Hadrianopolis, an ancient city in Karabük’s Eskipazar district, was designated as an archaeological site by the Culture and Tourism Ministry.

The harem section of the Topkapı Palace in Istanbul

Çandarlı Halil Pasha Tomb in Iznik

Submitted by Iza on Mon, 02/10/2025 - 18:16

This text is a fragment of a guidebook to Iznik "The Highlights of Iznik. Treasures of the ancient Nicaea".

Çandarlı Halil Pasha Tomb (tr. Çandarlı Halil Paşa Türbesi) is a historical landmark in Iznik. This is the burial place of Çandarlı Halil Pasha the Younger, the Grand Vizier of the Ottoman Empire from 1439 to 1453.

He was a member of a powerful Çandarlı family as his father, Çandarlı Ibrahim Pasha the Elder, his uncle, Çandarlı Ali Pasha, and his grandfather, Çandarlı Halil Pasha the Elder all held the position of the Grand Vizier before him. His inconspicuous tomb in Iznik is the testimony of his terrible fate - he was imprisoned and executed by the orders of Sultan Mehmed II the Conqueror.

Lion Gate in Hattusa

Submitted by Iza on Sat, 02/08/2025 - 16:36

The capital of the Hittites - Hattusa - was surrounded by massive fortifications when the Hittite civilization had a status of the Near East superpower. The walls were erected using the natural shape of the terrain or entirely changing it, depending on the architectural and strategic needs. Five monumental gates have been discovered to date along the wall, from west to east: the lower and upper western gates, the Lion Gate, the Sphinx Gate, and the King's Gate. The Lion Gate is the first one that can be seen when following the official sightseeing route around Hattusa.

Southern Citadel in Hattusa

Submitted by Iza on Wed, 02/05/2025 - 12:40

Southern Citadel (tr. Güney Kale), situated between the King's Gate and the Royal Citadel, is in the eastern part of Hattusa. A north-heading path leads to it from the King's Gate, and the best views of the fortress can be had from the Royal Citadel.

New book: The Highlights of Iznik: Treasures of the ancient Nicaea

Submitted by Admin on Mon, 02/03/2025 - 10:51

Located picturesquely on the eastern shore of Lake Iznik, the town bearing the same name might seem a backwater location with a laid-back ambience. However, the traces of mighty fortifications that greet the visitors to Iznik suggest that the town is much more than a sleepy settlement. Today's Iznik is, in fact, the ancient city called Nicaea, where the major events that shaped the future of Christianity took place. The town was once the summer residence of the Roman Emperor Constantine I the Great liked to spend the hot season because of the pleasant, mild climate.