2,000-Year-Old Bronze Arm with Ring on Finger Goes on Display for the First Time After 45 Years
A 2,000-year-old Roman bronze arm, featuring a ring on its finger, has gone on public display for the first time in 45 years at the İzmir Archaeology Museum. The artifact, discovered off the coast of Foça in 1980, had remained in storage until recently, when it underwent careful restoration. Museum Director Savaş Gürbüz highlighted the
Women Lead the Way in Excavations at Heraion-Teikhos, the “City of Hera” in Thrace
In Tekirdağ, northwestern Türkiye, archaeological excavations at Heraion-Teikhos—one of the most significant settlements of the Thracian civilization—are highlighting the vital role of women. Supported by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism under the “Heritage for the Future Project,” the dig is bringing ancient history to light with the help of local women workers. Located in
Traces of Lydia in Sardis: A 2,700-Year-Old City Opens to Visitors for the First Time
Rising from the fertile plains of the Gediz Valley, Sardis stretches across time like a vast cultural mosaic. The towering columns of the Temple of Artemis, the grandeur of Roman baths, and the largest ancient synagogue of its era—this is Manisa’s Salihli district in western Türkiye. Yet the true heart of this ancient city, the
After a 6,000-Year-Old Temple, Roman-Era Road Discovered at Tadım Castle
Archaeologists excavating Tadım Castle, located 12 kilometers south of Elazığ, have uncovered a Roman-era stone-paved road, believed to have been used by kings or members of the nobility. The road features edge curbs and carefully laid paving stones, indicating it was reserved for high-ranking individuals of the period. This discovery follows the unearthing of a
5,200-Year-Old Climate Adaptation Strategies Unearthed at Küllüoba in Türkiye
Archaeologists in Eskişehir, Türkiye, have uncovered remarkable evidence of how early Bronze Age communities adapted to climate challenges more than 5,000 years ago. Excavations at Küllüoba Höyük, a site continuously studied since 1996, reveal that the settlement—dating to 3200–3300 BCE—was not only carefully planned but also strategically designed to withstand harsh environmental conditions. Houses Deliberately
Ancient Bread Mold Unearthed in Harran Reveals 800-Year-Old Culinary Traditions
Long celebrated as a cradle of science and philosophy, Harran has now offered a rare glimpse into its everyday life. Archaeologists working in the ancient city in southeastern Türkiye have uncovered an 800-year-old bread mold decorated with distinctive diamond-shaped patterns. The baked-clay artifact, measuring about 40 centimeters in diameter, was discovered during excavations near the
2,000-Year-Old Bone Stylus Unearthed in Türkmen-Karahöyük, Believed to Be the Second Hittite Capital Tarhuntašša
A 2,000-year-old bone stylus was unearthed in Türkmen-Karahöyük, Konya. The site, linked to the lost Hittite capital Tarhuntašša, also yielded a gaming die, bathtub, ancient grains, and even monkey remains gifted from Egypt. Before the Battle of Kadesh, Hittite King Muwatalli II made a radical decision to move the empire’s capital from Hattusa to Tarhuntašša.
Four Roman-Era Tombs Unearthed at Sillyon Ancient City in Antalya: Three Individuals, Three Periods
Excavations at Sillyon Ancient City in Serik, Antalya have revealed four tombs dating back to the Roman period. Established on a high hill for security reasons in the early 2nd millennium BCE, Sillyon hosts structures from the Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk, and Ottoman eras. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Murat Taşkıran, head of the Sillyon Excavation and faculty
1,600-Year-Old Saint George Church in Diyarbakır Reopens as Art Gallery After Earthquake Restoration
In Diyarbakır’s historic İçkale district, the 1,600-year-old Saint George Church has risen again after suffering severe damage in the devastating earthquakes of February 6, 2023. Originally built in the 4th century CE by the Romans as an administrative church, the structure will reopen on August 10 as an art gallery. The restoration, led by the
Evidence of 6,000-Year-Old Sacrificial Rituals Unearthed at Tadım Fortress Excavations in Elazığ
Archaeological excavations at Tadım Fortress and Mound in Elazığ, eastern Türkiye, have revealed striking evidence of religious practices dating back nearly 6,000 years. Conducted under the direction of the Elazığ Archaeology and Ethnography Museum, the investigations are shedding new light on both daily life and ritual traditions of the region’s prehistoric communities. This season, archaeologists