Ardahan Fortress

Submitted by Iza on Wed, 04/18/2018 - 17:42

Ardahan Fortress rises over the northern bank of the Kura River, flowing slowly to the east. The hill where the fortress was erected has gentle slopes and an almost flat top. It dominates the fertile plain where the small town of Ardahan has developed. The valley has had strategic importance since the times unknown, as all the major transportation routes of the region pass through it. On the other hand, not much is known about the prehistory and ancient history of Ardahan, and the information available is a mixture of facts and myths. Sami Patacı from the University of Ardahan lamented: "[The Ardahan Province is] a relatively neglected area of archaeological research in northeastern Turkey. The dynamics of cultural development in this region at the northern frontier of the Near Eastern archaeology are still problematic, as its archaeology has so far received very limited attention, especially when compared with other borderlands in eastern Turkey and Transcaucasia."

Şavşat Castle

Submitted by Iza on Sat, 04/14/2018 - 09:29

Şavşat Castle is one of the main tourist attractions along the Artvin-Ardahan road. Its existence dates back to the medieval times. The castle, perched on a steep rock at the altitude of 950 meters asl, offers a unique opportunity to explore the perfect example of the fortress constructed by the Bagratid dynasty of the Kingdom of Georgia.

March 2018 in Turkish archaeology

Submitted by Iza on Sun, 04/01/2018 - 11:29

The major headlines in March 2018 belonged to Göbeklitepe, the archaeological site situated in southeastern Turkey, now awaiting the inscritpion onto the UNESCO World Heritage List. Moreover, Seljuk-era inscriptions were rediscovered in Antalya, Perge theatre was opened to the public, and the restoration of Panagia Phaneromeni Church in Ayvalık was completed.

The Secrets of Mount Nemrut

Submitted by Iza on Fri, 03/30/2018 - 12:03

Turkish Archaeological News team proudly presents a new book devoted to Mount Nemrut National Park, loaded with fascinating facts, colourful photos, graphics, and plans. This book offers you a unique chance to discover the secrets of the long forgotten Kingdom of Commagene, its history and monuments. It is not only a history book but also a practical guidebook for everyone who wants to visit Eastern Turkey and enjoy the sunset in the company of monumental statues that have decorated the peak of Mount Nemrut for two millennia. The book is now available on Amazon as a handy ebook, to take it with you wherever you want.

Tucked away in the mountains of eastern Turkey, Commagene was just one of the numerous Hellenistic-era states that appeared after the short-lived empire of Alexander the Great collapsed and disappeared when the Roman Empire conquered Asia Minor. Commagene would be all but forgotten and only mentioned in history handbooks but for one fascinating detail - the monumental statues that one of Commagene's rulers had erected on the top of Mount Nemrut. Apparently a sign of this monarch's megalomania, the statues have survived and now lure the travellers with their mysterious history. Many a tourist saw the photos of this monument in the travel brochure or on a cover of a guidebook and decided on the spur of the moment to roam the vast distances of Turkey to witness the sunset and the sunrise in the company of these gigantic stone gods.

Byzantine Istanbul

Submitted by Jarek on Wed, 03/21/2018 - 19:29

The map presented in the article shows the location of the Byzantine-era monuments of former Constantinople, now known as Istanbul. By clicking on the marker, you get the name of the monument. Some of these structures are very well known, for example Hagia Sophia or the Basilica Cistern. On the other hand, there are also rather obscure locations where not much is visible for the visitors today. As the map is a work in progress, we would appreciate all the feedback - as we are willing to expand the map or make the necessary corrections. Hopefully, this simple plan will make the exploration of Istanbul much more enjoyable, while hunting for the traces of the Byzantine Empire.