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Written by Andrew Loral
A 600-year-old Ottoman endowment inscription carved directly into natural bedrock has been restored in Amasya, northern Türkiye. Dating to 1418, the Bayezid Pasha foundation text is now readable again after years of damage, and experts say it may represent the only known example of a waqf inscription carved into living rock anywhere in the world.
In the İhsaniye district of Afyonkarahisar, Türkiye, a 3,000-year-old rock tomb belonging to the ancient Phrygian civilization has been controversially converted into a café. The site, part of the Phrygian Valley and listed as a UNESCO tentative cultural heritage, has sparked significant backlash from experts and the public alike. The Significance of the Phrygian Valley
Experts Sound the Alarm: “This is no longer a mosque or museum—it’s an emergency site” Built by the order of Byzantine Emperor Justinian I in 537 AD, Hagia Sophia has stood at the heart of Istanbul for nearly 1,500 years. Originally constructed as a cathedral, later converted into a mosque, then a museum, and once
Located in central Anatolia, the ancient settlement of Çatalhöyük continues to provide valuable insights into early human civilization. Recent interdisciplinary research has revealed that women held a significant role in shaping social structures nearly 9 millennia ago. An international team of scientists from Turkey, Denmark, Sweden, and the US examined the genetic makeup of 131
Archaeologists in southern Türkiye have uncovered rare Early Bronze Age remains at Yumuktepe, one of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements in the world. The findings include a horseshoe-shaped hearth, a grain silo, and traces of ancient agricultural activity. Yumuktepe Mound, located in Mersin near the Mediterranean coast of Türkiye, continues to reveal its secrets through
In the Yatağan district of Muğla, Turkey, a long-silent sanctuary of knowledge nestled among timeworn marble stones is being brought back to life through the meticulous work of archaeologists. Located in the ancient city of Stratonikeia — often referred to as the “City of Gladiators” — a Roman-era library is reemerging, captivating history enthusiasts not
One of Turkey’s hidden archaeological gems, Tralleis Ancient City in Aydın, is set to welcome visitors starting August 2025. This milestone marks the fulfillment of a 23-year dream for excavation director Prof. Dr. Murat Çekilmez, who has dedicated his entire academic career to this historic site. From Student Volunteer to Excavation Director Prof. Çekilmez first
Ephesus, one of Turkey’s most iconic UNESCO World Heritage Sites, is now offering visitors a unique opportunity to explore its ancient streets under the night sky. As part of a new initiative by the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the historical site is illuminated with special lighting, creating a mesmerizing atmosphere after sunset. Walk
Ongoing archaeological excavations in Hyllarima Ancient City, located in the Kavaklıdere district of Muğla, southwestern Türkiye, continue to shed light on the region’s rich past. Known as one of the rare ancient settlements in Anatolia that has remained remarkably well-preserved, Hyllarima is now revealing new secrets—2,400-year-old shop structures located in the heart of the ancient
The 2025 archaeological excavation season at Kedrai Ancient City, located on Sedir Island in Muğla’s Marmaris district, will officially begin on June 23. This year’s work will focus on deepening research around the grand basilica and ancient theater. Sedir Island’s historical treasure Kedrai prepares for a new excavation season Situated off the coast of Muğla’s
A groundbreaking archaeological discovery in southern Türkiye is reshaping our understanding of symbolic behavior and artistic expression in prehistoric Anatolia. Excavations at Kızılin Cave, located near Yağca in Antalya’s Döşemealtı district, have uncovered stone human figurines dating back nearly 19,000 years — the oldest known of their kind in the region. As reported by Koray
