Roman Marble Head Illicitly Taken from Smyrna Returned to Türkiye from U.S. Museum After Decades
A marble head carved in ancient Smyrna nearly 1,600 years ago has finally returned to Türkiye, decades after it was taken abroad under unclear circumstances. The artifact, now confirmed to have originated from the Smyrna Agora, was repatriated from the Denver Art Museum following extensive scientific and archival research. Dating to the 5th century AD,
833-Year-Old Leaning Minaret of Sivas Ulu Cami Enters Critical Restoration Phase
A major restoration project at the historic Sivas Ulu Cami has reached a decisive stage, as work intensifies on its iconic leaning minaret, a structure that has defined the city’s skyline for more than eight centuries. Ongoing conservation efforts, led by regional heritage authorities, are now focusing on stabilizing and preserving the minaret’s exterior—an intervention
Roadworks in Rize Reveal a Hidden 19th-Century Stone Bridge Buried Beneath the City
A historic stone arch bridge in Rize, long buried beneath layers of road construction, has re-emerged during ongoing urban redevelopment works. Dating back to 1826, the structure had remained hidden for decades—preserved beneath asphalt and fill—until recent excavations brought it back into view. The bridge, locally known as the “Çitanın Bridge,” was uncovered along a
147 Artifacts from 10,000-Year-Old Hasankeyf Go on Public Display for the First Time
For the first time, 147 archaeological artifacts unearthed in Hasankeyf are now on public display, offering visitors a rare, long-overdue encounter with one of Upper Mesopotamia’s deepest historical archives. Previously kept in storage, the collection has been brought into view as part of a new exhibition initiative at the Hasankeyf Museum. The display forms the
600-Year-Old Pool Discovered Inside Ottoman Mosque in Bursa During Restoration
A long-hidden architectural feature has come to light inside Bursa’s historic Muradiye Mosque, offering a rare glimpse into early Ottoman design practices. During ongoing restoration work, experts uncovered what is believed to be a nearly 600-year-old pool embedded within the mosque’s interior. Rediscovered Water Feature Sheds Light on Ottoman Design The Muradiye Mosque, commissioned by
Ancient Roman Bath in Kütahya Faces Collapse as Neglect Deepens
A rock-cut Roman bath in western Türkiye, once believed to have healing properties, is now on the brink of disappearance after years of neglect in the village of Sefaköy, Kütahya. Hidden in the rural landscape of Hisarcık district, the structure—carved directly into natural rock during the Roman period—has long been known among locals for its
Renaissance Medallion of Mehmed the Conqueror to Headline Dubai Auction
A rare Renaissance portrait of Mehmed II—the Ottoman ruler who reshaped the course of world history—will soon take center stage at a high-profile auction in Dubai. Created in 1481 by the Italian artist Constanzo da Ferrara, the medallion is considered one of the most exceptional cross-cultural artworks linking Renaissance Europe with the Ottoman court. What
1,500-Year-Old Greek Inscription Mosaic Reading “Let the Envious Burst” Discovered in Syedra
A 1,500-year-old mosaic with Greek inscriptions has been uncovered in the ancient city of Syedra, near Alanya on Türkiye’s Mediterranean coast. The well-preserved floor mosaic, discovered during ongoing archaeological excavations, features decorative geometric and vegetal motifs accompanied by two striking inscriptions, including one that can be translated as “Let the envious burst.” The discovery provides
New Study Reassesses Mount Ararat’s Role in the Noah Ark Tradition Across Three Faiths
Mount Ararat is often presented as a question. Did the Ark land there — or not? But a new academic study suggests we may have been asking the wrong question all along. Instead of searching for frozen timber beneath glaciers, the 2025 research turns to something more complex: how one mountain carries three different sacred
Fishing Net Snags Possible Ancient Jar as Water Levels Drop in Lake İznik
A routine morning on Lake İznik turned unexpectedly archaeological this week, when a fisherman’s net surfaced not with carp or perch—but with what appears to be a historic clay jar. The incident occurred along the shores of Göllüce, a neighborhood on the western edge of the lake in Bursa, northwestern Türkiye. As drought conditions continue