Aphrodisias

Submitted by Iza on Fri, 11/10/2023 - 14:06

The ruins of ancient Aphrodisias, located in the vicinity of the modern village of Geyre, meet almost all the conditions necessary for a given place to become a tourist hit. There are wonderfully preserved remains of ancient buildings, a modern museum with interesting exhibits, and infrastructure necessary for visitors in the form of restaurants and shops. This valuable archaeological site was also included on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2017.

Oluz Höyük

Submitted by Iza on Wed, 11/08/2023 - 13:48

The archaeological site of Oluz Höyük, located near the village of Gözlek, in the Çekerek river valley (called Zuliya in the Hittite times, and Skylax in the classical antiquity), is located on the fertile Gelgiden plain. The Oluz Höyük mound, almost circular in its horizontal cross-section, rises 15 meters above the plain. It is a significant site where five major cultural layers have been identified during archaeological work.

Hellenistic finds from Oluz Höyük in Amasya Museum

Comana Pontica

Submitted by Iza on Sun, 11/05/2023 - 11:05

The ancient city called Comana Pontica (Greek: Κόμανα Ποντική) belonged to the kingdom of Pontus. Located on the Iris River (now Yeşilırmak), it was therefore of strategic commercial importance. Comana Pontica is classified by scholars as one of the so-called "temple states". These temples were distinguished from other religious buildings by their great independence. These were self-governing units, with their own authorities, subordinate territories, and sources of revenue.

October 2023 in Turkish archaeology

Submitted by Iza on Wed, 11/01/2023 - 15:32

The most exciting archaeological discoveries announced in Turkey in October 2023 were a 3,000-year-old necropolis found in Batman Province, a 5,000-year-old Mother Goddess statuette unearthed in Yeşilova Mound in Izmir, and 2 cuneiform inscriptions and a new Urartian temple revealed by the excavations at Körzüt Castle. Moreover, Zeytinburnu Mosaic Museum opened in Istanbul, and it was announced that street and house ruins from the Early Byzantine and Late Roman Period, unearthed during the excavations at Marmaray's Sirkeci Station will be opened to visitors by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. Finally, thirty-seven pieces of historical artefacts returned by Switzerland will be exhibited at the Anatolian Civilizations Museum in Ankara after the completion of conservation and restoration works.

The Museum of Anatolian Civilisations in Ankara

Hasanaliler Church

Submitted by Iza on Tue, 10/31/2023 - 10:03

Hasanaliler Church is one of innumerable historical treasures hidden in the mountainous landscape of Cilicia Trachea ("Rugged Cilicia"). This rough mountain district is formed by the spurs of the Taurus Mountains. Among numerous valleys, deep gorges, and magnificent mountaintops, the curious traveller will find ancient cities, sanctuaries, ruined farmsteads, and churches, along the natural wonders such as deep caves and picturesque sinkholes.