October 2021 in Turkish archaeology

Submitted by Iza on Mon, 11/01/2021 - 15:45

Among the most significant archaeological discoveries announced in Turkey in October 2021, a 12.000-year-old temple found during excavations in Boncuklu Tarla is possibly one of the most amazing ones. Moreover, a 2,000-year-old altar was unearthed in the ancient city of Alexandria Troas, while a 1,600-year-old church was discovered in Priene. Finally, 300 square meters of mosaics from the late Roman-early Byzantine period in central Kayseri province’s Incesu district.

Church of St. Polyeuctus

Submitted by Iza on Tue, 10/12/2021 - 11:28

In the very centre of the Fatih district in Istanbul, near the seat of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, in a small park there are modest ruins of a building that in its heyday was the largest church of Constantinople, erected to resemble the Solomon Temple in Jerusalem. The tale about this building is connected with the histories of two people: Saint Polyeuctus, to whom it was dedicated, and Anicia Juliana - its founder.

This text is a fragment of a guidebook to Istanbul: "Byzantine Secrets of Istanbul".

September 2021 in Turkish archaeology

Submitted by Iza on Fri, 10/01/2021 - 15:33

In September 2021, the archaeologists working in the area of Turkey reported the discovery of the mosaics belonging to the Byzantine period in a complex of buildings in Balatlar in the northern province of Sinop. Moreover, dozens of graves and the remains of houses were found during excavations of the 7,000-year-old ancient mound of Arslantepe, newly inscribed into the UNESCO World Heritage Lists. The discovery of 5,000 seal impressions at the same site leads archaeologists to explore and piece together how bureaucracy worked nearly 6,000 years ago. Finally, the 27th round of excavations started in the Elaiussa Sebaste ancient city in Mersin Province of southern Turkey.

Alytarches' Stoa in Ephesus

Submitted by Iza on Sat, 09/11/2021 - 09:22

The south-western section of Curetes Street in Ephesus finished with the so-called Alytarches' Stoa, to the east of the Hellenistic Fountain. It was a 53-meter-long structure, 4 to 5 meters deep, and divided into two sections because of the variance in the ground level.

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

August 2021 in Turkish archaeology

Submitted by Iza on Wed, 09/01/2021 - 07:56

August of 2021 saw numerous archaeological excavations carried out in the area of Turkey, including the projects in Antandros, Comana Pontica, Alacahöyük, Pompeiopolis, and Ani. Moreover, the iconic Ephesus theatre reopened its doors for art-lovers following a three-year break due to restoration works.