Pergamon’s Red Basilica Set to Reopen in 2026 After Extensive Restoration
At the core of ancient Pergamon in western Türkiye rises the Red Basilica, a colossal Roman sanctuary that has witnessed nearly two millennia of transformation—from a temple dedicated to Egyptian gods under Emperor Hadrian, to one of the earliest Christian basilicas, later adapted as a mosque. Now part of Pergamon’s UNESCO World Heritage landscape, this
13,000-Year-Old Beads Unearthed in Direkli Cave Reveal Origins of Aesthetic Culture in Anatolia
Archaeologists in Kahramanmaraş, Türkiye, have uncovered dozens of Epipaleolithic beads dated between 9,500 and 14,000 BCE at Direkli Cave. The discovery highlights the region’s role as a crossroads of cultural exchange and artistic expression. Located in the Onikişubat district of Kahramanmaraş, the Direkli Cave has once again yielded remarkable finds that shed light on prehistoric
Megiddo Exhibition Opens in Chicago: Unearthing a Century of Archaeology and the Legacy of Armageddon
CHICAGO — The Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures (ISAC) at the University of Chicago has opened a landmark exhibition titled “Megiddo: A City Unearthed, A Past Imagined,” marking 100 years since the university’s first major expedition to the ancient city of Megiddo. The exhibition, which runs from September 18, 2025, to March 15,
Miniature Spearhead and Bronze Buckle Unearthed from the First Turkic Khaganate in Russia’s Altai
Archaeologists working in Russia’s Altai Republic have brought to light rare objects linked to the First Turkic Khaganate (6th–7th centuries CE), one of Central Asia’s earliest nomadic empires. The artifacts, uncovered during the Katanda-2025 International Expedition, provide valuable insights into ritual practices and material culture at the heart of the Eurasian steppe. Ritual Enclosures Yield
Spectacular Find in Kayseri: 3 Giant Elephant Skulls From 7.7 Million Years Ago Revealed
A new fossil season at Yamula Dam in central Türkiye has delivered a remarkable discovery: three massive elephant skulls dating back nearly eight million years. The excavation site, known for its extraordinary preservation of prehistoric wildlife, is helping scientists reconstruct Anatolia’s ancient ecosystems during the Late Miocene period. From Shepherd’s Discovery to Global Significance The
Experts Examine 2,000-Year-Old Roman-Era Woman’s Shoeprint Found in Sagalassos
In the ancient city of Sagalassos, located in Türkiye’s Burdur province, archaeologists are conducting a detailed study of a 2,000-year-old woman’s shoeprint preserved on a clay tile. The rare Roman-era find offers new insight into women’s roles in ancient society and will soon be recreated in full detail. A Rediscovered Trace of Daily Life Sagalassos,
9,500-Year-Old Communal Structure with Red Floor Discovered at Türkiye’s Çayönü Tepesi
Archaeologists working at Çayönü Tepesi, a world-renowned Neolithic settlement in southeastern Türkiye, have unearthed a 9,500-year-old communal building distinguished by its vividly painted red floor. The discovery provides rare insight into early agricultural societies and the evolution of social organization in one of humanity’s earliest permanent villages. Excavations, which first began in 1964, are now
Byzantium’s Forgotten Defense Line: The 1,500-Year-Old Anastasian Wall
Few visitors exploring Istanbul’s historic treasures know that 65 kilometers west of the city, hidden among forests and fields, lies one of Byzantium’s most ambitious but forgotten fortifications: the Anastasian Wall, also known as the Long Walls of Thrace. Built in the early 6th century under Emperor Anastasios I, this massive line of defense once
Rare Mosaics Seized in Gaziantep: 3 Detained in Historic Artifact Operation
In Gaziantep’s Nurdağı district, Turkish gendarmerie officers conducted an operation that resulted in the seizure of two rare mosaics and the detention of three suspects. According to authorities, E.Ç., M.B., and M.B. were under investigation for attempting to sell historically significant mosaics obtained through illegal channels. Acting on intelligence, gendarmerie officers stopped a vehicle belonging
2,000-Year-Old Roman Pool Still Supplies Water in Satala, Türkiye
In the Kelkit district of Gümüşhane, the Satala Ancient City houses a remarkable 2,000-year-old Roman pool that once served Roman legionaries and still meets the drinking and irrigation needs of the nearby Sadak village. Located in the heart of Satala, the pool is considered one of the most significant structures of the ancient city. While