A 600-Year-Old Prayer Room Found Hidden Under a Firewood Storage in Cappadocia
What appeared to be a simple firewood storage area in the village of Taşkınpaşa, Cappadocia, central Türkiye, has revealed a centuries-old Islamic prayer room. Experts date the rock-cut site to approximately 600 years ago, possibly from the Eretnaid period. During a surface survey conducted by art historians from Nevşehir Hacı Bektaş Veli University (NEVÜ), a
Unearthed Legacy: Körzüt Fortress Identified as “Haldi’s Sacred City” Through Cuneiform Tablets
Excavations in eastern Türkiye’s Van Province have revealed that the ancient Körzüt Fortress—built by the Urartians—was once known as “Haldi Patari,” meaning “The Sacred City of Haldi.” The discovery stems from the deciphering of cuneiform tablets found within a monumental temple complex. Perched on the volcanic slopes of the Muradiye district, Körzüt Fortress has long
3,000-Meter-High Stronghold Discovered in Eastern Türkiye May Reveal Urartian Secrets
Archaeologists unveil a massive high-altitude Iron Age fortress in Van’s Tirişin Plateau, offering rare insight into the military and pastoral strategies of ancient eastern Anatolia. In a groundbreaking discovery that could reshape our understanding of highland civilizations in eastern Anatolia, archaeologists in Türkiye have uncovered the ruins of a colossal mountain-top fortress nearly 3,000 meters
Bilkent University Takes Over Excavations at Ancient Sagalassos, the Summit of Pisidia
One of the most ambitious archaeological transitions in Türkiye has taken place in the ancient city of Sagalassos, nestled high in the Taurus Mountains. Bilkent University has officially assumed the directorship of the Sagalassos excavations from the Catholic University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Belgium, after 35 years of continuous research. The project is now led
Reviving the Bread of the Hittites: Ancient Recipe Recreated by Women’s Cooperative in Central Türkiye
In the heart of Anatolia, a 3,500-year-old culinary tradition has been brought back to life. Inspired by cuneiform tablets unearthed in the ancient Hittite capital of Hattusa (modern-day Boğazkale), a women’s cooperative in the Turkish province of Çorum has successfully recreated “Hittite bread” using organic, pre-industrial methods. Led by agricultural engineer Tuba Topkara, the Valide
The Statue of Hestia, the Guardian Goddess of Aigai, from the Hellenistic Period, is Now on Display at the Manisa Museum
A 2.7-meter-tall marble statue of the goddess Hestia, discovered in 2005 during excavations at the ancient city of Aigai in western Türkiye, is now on display for the first time. Believed to be the only known Hestia statue from the Hellenistic period that has survived to the present day, it is showcased in a specially
119 Years of Excavations at Hattusa: New Discoveries in the Mysterious Area Between the Great Temple and Palace
In Boğazkale, Çorum Province, the ancient capital of the Hittites, Hattusa, has entered its 119th season of excavation. Led by Professor Dr. Andreas Schachner, the archaeological team is conducting in-depth research between the Great Temple and the palace, aiming to uncover new insights into the Hittite civilization’s different periods and their cultural heritage. A Century-Long
Star of David with a Cross Found in Roman-Byzantine Mosaic in Türkiye: Rare Symbolism Unearthed in Unexpected Discovery
The 35-square-meter mosaic also contains a six-line petition written in Ancient Greek In an extraordinary discovery in southeastern Türkiye, a Roman–Byzantine-era mosaic featuring a Star of David with a Christian cross embedded inside has been unearthed during a burial excavation in Ergani, Diyarbakır. The 35-square-meter mosaic floor, which also includes a six-line inscription in Ancient
A First in Anatolian Archaeology: 2,050-Year-Old Hexagonal Council House Unearthed in Laodicea
During the 2025 excavation season at Laodicea, an ancient city located in Denizli and listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List, archaeologists have uncovered a unique 2,050-year-old council house (bouleuterion) dating back to the reign of Roman Emperor Augustus. The architectural rarity stands out for its unusual hexagonal design—marking the first such example ever
Priene, Anatolia’s First Planned City, Poised for Permanent UNESCO World Heritage Listing
Located in Söke district of Aydın province, Türkiye, Priene Ancient City dates back to the 4th century BCE and stands as Anatolia’s earliest known planned city. With its strategic stone walls measuring 2 meters thick and a highly organized urban layout, Priene is now undergoing intensive efforts for permanent inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage