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Written by Oguz Büyükyıldırım
The Patara Lighthouse excavation began under a blazing July sun in 2004, as a small team of archaeologists and students pushed through sand and heat with little indication of what lay beneath. There was no road, no visible structure—only dunes stretching toward the sea. But even then, there was a growing sense that this was
Ongoing excavations at the ancient city of Aigai in the Yuntdağı region of Manisa’s Yunusemre district have brought to light a temple dedicated to Demeter, the Greek goddess of agriculture and fertility.The excavation is led by Prof. Dr. Yusuf Sezgin, Head of the Department of Archaeology at Manisa Celal Bayar University’s Faculty of Humanities and
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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
