Finds from Çatalhöyük in the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations in Ankara

Submitted by Iza on Sun, 10/15/2023 - 15:23

The archaeological site called Çatalhöyük, from the Turkish words çatal "fork" and höyük "tumulus", is a tell of a huge Neolithic and Chalcolithic proto-city settlement in southern Asia Minor. It existed from approximately 7500 BCE to 6400 BC and flourished around 7000 BCE. It was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in July 2012.

The finds from Çatalhöyük, dating back to the 1st half of the 6th millennium BCE, are now on display in the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations in Ankara.

So-called Mother Goddess Figurine from Çatalhöyük

Finds from Carchemish in the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations in Ankara

Submitted by Iza on Fri, 10/06/2023 - 14:35

Carchemish was an important ancient city in the northern part of Syria. At times during its long history, Carchemish was independent, but it was also part of the Mitanni, Hittite, and Neo-Assyrian Empires. Today it is on the frontier between Turkey and Syria, encompassing an archaeological site of 90 hectares, of which 55 lie in Turkey and 35 in Syria, located on the West bank of the Euphrates River.

All monumental finds from Carchemish date back to the Neo-Hittite period when a number of states emerged in southeastern parts of modern Turkey and northwestern parts of modern Syria, following the collapse of the Hittite New Kingdom in the 12th century BCE. They lasted until they were subdued by the Assyrian Empire in the 8th century BCE.

In the first millennium BCE, Carchemish consisted of a high citadel mound located by the Euphrates River with a walled inner town and an outer town. Excavations found a processional road which led to the temple of the Storm-God and to a monumental stairway into the citadel. The whole complex was decorated with sculptures carved in basalt and limestone. Most of these orthostats and statues from the early excavations are currently on display in the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations in Ankara while several other artefacts are in the British Museum in London.

September 2023 in Turkish archaeology

Submitted by Iza on Mon, 10/02/2023 - 08:38

Without a doubt, the most interesting event in the field of history and culture of Turkish lands in September 2023 was the announcement by UNESCO of the entry on the World Heritage List of two new items from Turkey. This honorable distinction was awarded to the archaeological site of Gordion, located near Ankara, and five wooden mosques from the Middle Ages, located in various locations in Anatolia.

Finds from Alacahöyük in the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations in Ankara

Submitted by Iza on Sat, 09/30/2023 - 15:32

Alacahöyük is an important archaeological site, located near the village of Alacahüyük in the Alaca District of Çorum Province in Turkey. It documents the existence of a major Neolithic and Hittite settlement. The uppermost layers also show elements of Phrygian, Roman, and Ottoman times.

The site was excavated by numerous archaeological teams. The most important artefacts, including magnificent gold and bronze objects found in the Royal Tombs discovered there, are now on display in the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations in Ankara.

Perceptions in a state of flux

Submitted by Iza on Thu, 09/28/2023 - 16:13

Text by our correspondent from Didyma, Glenn Maffia

The cultural barometer has changed. Whereas there was an age when archaeologists excavated and shipped exquisite artefacts from strange far-flung shores for the edification and delight of the, primarily, middle class viewing public of Europe; few of whom, if any, could ever visit those lands. The weather vane has decidedly swung in the opposite direction.

Europe is, rather harshly, now viewed as a thief. One could quite easily perceive these nations as protectors, even rescuers. Initially, this importation of ancient artefacts was considered as educational and enlightening, though it rather ignored the fact that the works of art being shipped were not morally their property. Not that that would have shaken an Imperialist's viewpoint, in their arrogance exuding an air of superiority.