November 2024 in Turkish archaeology

Submitted by Iza on Sun, 12/01/2024 - 08:28

The archaeological discoveries announced in Turkey in November 2024 strongly focussed on the Urartian heritage of the eastern part of the country. During archaeological excavations in Van’s Tuşba district, a basalt stone statue weighing nearly one ton, dating back to the Urartian period, was uncovered. In the excavations at an Urartian-era fortress in Van’s Ipekyolu district, archaeologists uncovered 42 inscribed pithoi, large ancient storage jars. Moreover,the excavations at Ayanis Castle in Van's Tuşba district in eastern Türkiye revealed the grandeur of the ancient fortress, once a symbol of the Urartian Kingdom, as newly uncovered walls highlight its impressive structure.

Lagina

Submitted by Admin on Thu, 11/21/2024 - 09:57

Nearby Yatağan, overshadowed by the thermal power plant, lie the ruins of Lagina ancient sanctuary. Their location, among the surroundings heavily damaged by industrial activities, paradoxically matches the characteristics of the goddess who used to be worshipped there. It was Hecate, the dark goddess of the underworld, of Anatolian origins.

Archaeological Museum in Bergama

Submitted by Iza on Thu, 11/07/2024 - 09:56

The museum in Bergama, conveniently located in the very centre of the city, has many interesting exhibits in its collection. However, when visiting, it is difficult to resist the impression that something is missing. Of course, this is the famous Great Altar of Zeus from the Pergamon Acropolis, which was taken to Berlin in the 19th century and is now the main attraction of the Pergamon Museum there. One can only imagine the invasion of ancient history lovers into the facility in Bergama if it had this masterpiece. Unfortunately, when visiting this museum, you have to be content with a miniature model and photos from Berlin.

This does not mean that the museum is not worth visiting. On the contrary, it is a perfect complement to a visit to the Acropolis of Pergamon and the Asclepieion, from where most of the exhibits come from.

Acroterion from the Asclepieion of Pergamon, now in the Bergama Museum

October 2024 in Turkish archaeology

Submitted by Iza on Fri, 11/01/2024 - 16:16

The results of archaeological excavations from the area of Türkiye announced in October 2024 shed light on various aspects of everyday life in ancient Asia Minor. The dietary habits were revealed at the 9,000-year-old Yumuktepe Hoyuk in Mersin where the oldest remains of a new type of ancient wheat were unearthed. The excavations at the ancient site of Assos, located in Canakkale’s Ayvacik district, have brought to light 1,700-year-old ceramic chamber pots that were discarded after use. Finally, the works in the ancient city of Savatra, in Konya, uncovered infant skeletons buried inside clay pots.

Public buildings to the north of the State Agora in Ephesus

Submitted by Iza on Tue, 10/22/2024 - 08:03

This text is a fragment of a guidebook to Ephesus: "The Secrets of Ephesus".

A narrow street, known as Kathodos (The Way Downwards) in the ancient times, led from the Domitian Square in the eastern direction, along the northern side of the State Agora. This street offered direct access to the most important religious and civic institutions of Ephesus. On both sides of the street, there are reliefs: one showing Hermes, and one depicting Apollo's tripod. Kathodos Street was hidden from the view of the people on the State Agora, and one can even imagine that it was an official route for the members of Ephesus' governing body, because of the buildings lined up along the street. Walking from the direction of the Domitian Square, the first one was Banqueting House and the Prytaneion, next was the sacred district of the double-cella temple, and finally — the Bouleuterion.