Arslantepe Mound: New Clues to the World’s First State System
The ancient site of Arslantepe in Malatya, Türkiye, continues to reshape our understanding of early civilization. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2021, the mound has been excavated for over 65 years by Italian archaeologists and is recognized as the birthplace of one of the world’s earliest state systems. Prof. Dr. Francesca Balossi
5,000-Year-Old Ceramics Unearthed in İzmir’s Smyrna Mound Reveal Early Trade Links
Archaeologists working at the Bayraklı settlement mound in İzmir — known as Old Smyrna Mound — have uncovered ceramic vessels dating back 5,000 years, shedding light on the region’s role as an emerging hub of Early Bronze Age trade. The excavations, carried out under the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s Heritage for the Future
Mongol Palace of Hulagu Khan Unearthed in Van: A Roof Tile Sparked the Discovery
A simple roof tile found in a field two decades ago has led to one of the most remarkable international archaeological discoveries in recent years. Excavations in Hanköy, a rural village in Türkiye’s Van province, have revealed the remains of a palace and settlement linked to Hulagu Khan, the founder of the Ilkhanate and grandson
Ancient Etruscan Tombs Go Digital: 280 Burial Chambers Now Accessible Online
A groundbreaking digital initiative has opened the doors of Italy’s Etruscan world to a global audience. Researchers from the University of Gothenburg and the Swedish Institute in Rome have created an online platform where nearly 280 Etruscan chamber tombs, dating back 2,500 years, can now be studied and explored virtually. From Excavations to Digital Archives
Egypt Museum Scandal: 3,000-Year-Old Gold Bracelet Stolen and Melted Down
A priceless 3,000-year-old gold bracelet has been stolen from the Egyptian Museum in Cairo and melted down, Egyptian authorities confirmed. According to the Ministry of Interior, the artifact—dating to the Third Intermediate Period of ancient Egypt (1075–652 BCE)—was discovered missing on September 13 from a secure iron safe inside the museum’s restoration workshop. Investigations revealed
World’s Oldest Mummies May Be 12,000 Years Old, Discovered in Southeast Asia
A new study suggests smoke-dried mummification began 5,000 years earlier than previously thought. A groundbreaking study has uncovered evidence that the world’s oldest known mummies—dating back as far as 12,000 years—originated in southern China and Southeast Asia, challenging long-held beliefs that South America’s Chinchorro culture pioneered intentional mummification. Published this week in Proceedings of the
Sayburç to Feature a Village Museum Showcasing Neolithic Heritage and Urfa’s Living Culture
In Şanlıurfa’s Sayburç, one of the key sites of Türkiye’s “Taş Tepeler Project,” archaeologists plan to preserve 9,000-year-old Neolithic remains while also creating a unique village museum that highlights the region’s mid-20th-century rural life. Excavations at the early Neolithic settlement of Sayburç, located in the heart of Türkiye’s historic Şanlıurfa province, are revealing not only
History Rises from the Depths: Lost Ottoman Shipwreck in the Mediterranean Marks a Milestone in Underwater Archaeology
A 17th-century Ottoman war and trade ship has been uncovered from the depths of the Mediterranean Sea, rewriting maritime history with its dramatic sinking story and an extraordinary trove of artifacts. Struck in battle, driven ashore, and engulfed in flames before sinking, the vessel has resurfaced centuries later as the first fully excavated Ottoman-era shipwreck
3,000-Year-Old Neo-Hittite Meat Oven Discovered at Arslantepe Mound
In eastern Türkiye, archaeologists at Arslantepe Mound have unearthed a 3,000-year-old underground meat oven dating to the Neo-Hittite period. Although resembling a traditional tandır, the structure served a different purpose. The discovery is regarded as a striking development for both archaeology and gastronomy. Located just 7 kilometers from Malatya’s city center, Arslantepe was continuously inhabited
Sayburç Excavations Reveal 12,600-Year-Old Neolithic Settlement with Over 50 Structures
Archaeological excavations in Şanlıurfa, southeastern Türkiye, are shedding new light on one of the most critical turning points in human history. At the Sayburç Neolithic settlement, researchers have uncovered more than 50 structures dating back 12,600 years. The excavations are part of the “Taş Tepeler Project”, a large-scale initiative led by the Ministry of Culture