5300 Years of Life Traces: Settlement History from the Late Chalcolithic to the Bronze Age Revealed at Çaltılar Mound
Archaeological excavations at Çaltılar Mound (Çaltılar Höyük) in Türkiye’s Muğla province reveal a settlement history beginning on the edge of a marsh 5,300 years ago, later expanding into a fortified center through the Chalcolithic and Bronze Ages. The only mound excavation currently active in Muğla, Çaltılar Mound, is offering new insights into the region’s prehistoric
1,100-Year-Old Glass Perfume Bottles Unearthed off the Coast of Kaş
Underwater excavations off the coast of Kaş, in Türkiye’s Antalya province, have revealed 1,000–1,100-year-old glass perfume bottles from the wreck of an Eastern Mediterranean merchant ship. The find is considered one of the earliest pieces of evidence for the import of fragrances from the East to Europe during the Middle Ages. Assoc. Prof. Hakan Öniz,
Water Flows Again After 1,900 Years in the Roman Bath of the “City of Gladiators” Stratonikeia
In a scene that revived the grandeur of antiquity, water has flowed once more into the Roman bath of Stratonikeia — known as the “City of Gladiators” — after 1,900 years. Following meticulous excavation and restoration works, the pool was refilled using its original water channel, offering visitors a rare glimpse into the engineering of
From the Neolithic Age to the Present: The Discovery of the “Vessel Within a Vessel” at Karahantepe is Revolutionizing Historical Narratives
An extraordinary collection of 485 pieces from the Karahantepe region of Şanlıurfa was featured at the International Archaeology Symposium and “The Golden Age of Archaeology” exhibition held at the Presidential National Library in Ankara, the capital of Türkiye. Among these, a unique stone vessel containing a smaller vessel stands out as the oldest and most
Cross-Carved Ancient Rock-Cut Tomb Officially Registered in Suruç, Türkiye
A recently identified rock-cut tomb in the Köseveli neighborhood of Suruç, Şanlıurfa, has been officially recorded as part of the province’s cultural heritage inventory. The registration was carried out under an ongoing documentation project aimed at cataloging all historical landmarks in the region. Şanlıurfa Governor Hasan Şıldak announced the discovery on social media, emphasizing that
Ritual Infant Remains Discovered at Hittite Site of Uşaklı Höyük in Central Anatolia
The 2025 excavation season at Uşaklı Höyük in Central Anatolia concluded with a striking discovery relevant to both archaeology and Hittite history. The Italian Archaeological Mission from the University of Pisa uncovered infant remains around a monumental structure known as the “Circular Building,” believed to have ritual significance. Excavations focused primarily on terrace areas to
Mysterious 2,200-Year-Old Galatian Spear from Hattusa Goes on Display for the First Time
A unique 2,200-year-old iron spear, unearthed in the ancient Hittite capital of Hattusa, is now on public display for the first time. The weapon, unlike anything else found in Anatolia, is the centerpiece of the “Hapalki: Iron” exhibition at the Boğazköy Museum in Türkiye’s Çorum province. The spear was discovered in 2010 during excavations carried
Roman Emperor’s Shadow Appears in Aspendos: 1,700-Year-Old Statue Head Found
A marble head believed to depict a Roman emperor has been unearthed during excavations at the ancient city of Aspendos in southern Türkiye. The piece is thought to date to the late 3rd century AD and reflects a rare blend of Roman realism and Hellenistic artistry. Archaeological teams working at the Roman forum of Aspendos,
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