March 2024 in Turkish archaeology

Submitted by Iza on Mon, 04/01/2024 - 11:41

March 2024 brought many fascinating archaeological discoveries in the area of Turkey. Among the most sensational ones, the researchers announced that they had discovered about 8,600-year-old bread at Çatalhöyük, a Neolithic settlement in central Turkey. Moreover, a 2700-year-old children's cemetery was discovered during ongoing excavations in the ancient city of Tenedos in Bozcaada island. Finally, the archaeologists unearthed the earliest known evidence of body perforation in skeletons dating back 11,000 years at the Boncuklu Tarla excavation site in southeastern Turkey.

New Ephesus guidebook by TAN team has just been released!

Submitted by Iza on Tue, 03/05/2024 - 18:00

We are introducing our new guidebook to the wonderful archaeological site of Ephesus, "Highlights of Ephesus". This book offers a guided tour of the most important sights in Ephesus, the absolutely must-see ones. It was created with the thought of the visitors who have limited time on their hands and want to be sure that they will not miss any highlights of the famous ancient city. There are 18 chapters devoted to particular locations within Ephesus, and they are organised geographically.

Thus, we start the tour at the region near the Lower Gate, in the northern part of the site, and finish at the Upper Gate near the State Agora. Each chapter provides a detailed description of the location and its history, as well as its exact location with a GPS coordinates and a QR code to scan that will lead you to the exact spot. Also, every chapter has a photograph of the described location. Finally, the general plan shows the whole site of Ephesus with the relevant locations clearly marked, while the detailed plan magnifies the area of the Curetes Street where the majority of the described objects are situated.

Gate of Mazaeus and Mithridates in Ephesus

February 2024 in Turkish archaeology

Submitted by Iza on Sat, 03/02/2024 - 10:21

In February 2024, the focus of the Turkish archaeologists seemed to be ancient Pergamon, where the cultural revitalization project was launched with a $32M budget. The project is aimed at the revitalization and conservation of the rich cultural heritage of Pergamon, modern-day Bergama, through extensive archaeological excavations. Moreover, as a part of research on medicinal plants in Bergama, the academics from Ege University were investigating the Galen's (the renowned ancient Roman physician) prescriptions.

The theatre on the acropolis of the ancient Pergamon

State Agora in Ephesus

Submitted by Iza on Tue, 02/13/2024 - 10:03

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

In every significant ancient settlement founded by the Greeks, the main square called the agora played the central role in the life of the city. Ephesus had two agoras - a political one and a commercial one - situated at opposite ends of the city. The spacious State (Upper) Agora was situated in the south-eastern part of Ephesus, while the Commercial Agora - in the north-western part of the city. As it is also the case of the Lower Agora, also this square was created in the location of an old necropolis - the fact demonstrates how quickly the city had expanded beyond the previously planned boundaries.

January 2024 in Turkish archaeology

Submitted by Iza on Thu, 02/01/2024 - 09:30

The most important archaeological news from the area of Turkey in January 2024 was the discovery of a collection of 10 coins believed to date back nearly 1,400 years at the ancient city of Hadrianopolis in Karabük Province. Moreover, 10 clay amphorae dating back to the second century BCE were discovered during excavations conducted at the ancient city of Amos in Muğla Province. The visitors to Istanbul may be interested in learning that, after several years-long break, it is possible to visit the upper galleries of Hagia Sophia with its iconic mosaics. However, the entrance fee is collected for the privilege. Finally, the restoration of the Temple of Athena in Side, that started two years ago, is due to be completed in 2024. Sadly, January 2024 was also marked by the passing away of Glenn Maffia, our friend, Turkish Archaeological News correspondent, and the author of the guidebook to ancient Didyma, Faint Whispers from the Oracle.