Tuesday, October 21 2025

Author: Leman Altuntaş

Kerkenes Mound

Archaeologists Trace Proto-Turkic Presence in Central Anatolia Back 2,600 Years at Kerkenes Mound

In a groundbreaking revelation from the heart of Türkiye, archaeologists working at the Kerkenes Mound in Yozgat’s Sorgun district have uncovered evidence suggesting that the architectural and cultural roots of Proto-Turkic peoples in Anatolia may reach as far back as 2,600 years. The discovery, led by Prof. Dr. Şevket Dönmez under the Ministry of Culture

8,000-Year-Old Life Traces Unearthed in Delikli Cave, Bitlis: From Prehistory to the Urartians

8,000-Year-Old Life Traces Unearthed in Delikli Cave, Bitlis: From Prehistory to the Urartians

Archaeologists excavating Delikli Cave in Türkiye’s Bitlis Province have uncovered traces of human life dating back 8,000 years — including obsidian tools, handmade pottery, Urartian-era burials, and medieval building remains — revealing a rare continuum of settlement from prehistory through the Middle Ages. Perched about 60 meters above the current level of Lake Van in

Six Aramaic Inscriptions Unearthed at Zernaki Tepe Reveal Forgotten Parthian Frontier in Eastern Türkiye

Six Aramaic Inscriptions Unearthed at Zernaki Tepe Reveal Forgotten Parthian Frontier in Eastern Türkiye

Archaeologists have uncovered six new Aramaic inscriptions at Zernaki Tepe, a 3,000-year-old ancient city in Van Province, eastern Türkiye. The discoveries — including three deliberately erased texts — illuminate a turbulent Parthian-era presence in Anatolia and the shifting power struggles between empires that once vied for control of the region. Located in the Yukarı Işıklı

Titus Tunnel

A Roman Marvel Carved by Hundreds of Slaves: The Titus Tunnel and Beşikli Cave

In the coastal cliffs of Samandağ in southern Türkiye, a monumental trace of Roman power still cuts through the heart of the mountain. Known as the Titus Tunnel, this massive hand-carved channel stands as both a triumph of Roman engineering and a silent testimony to the thousands of slaves and prisoners who shaped it nearly

Seljuk Traces in St. Paul’s Lystra: Oldest Examples of the Evil Eye Bead Found

Seljuk Traces in St. Paul’s Lystra: Oldest Examples of the Evil Eye Bead Found

Archaeological excavations in Lystra, the ancient city known from the Bible as one of the places visited by St. Paul the Apostle, have revealed Seljuk-era traces and turquoise-colored “evil eye” beads inside children’s graves. Researchers believe these beads represent a cultural bridge — where Turkic beliefs merged with earlier Anatolian traditions, giving birth to the

Archaeologists have uncovered a T-shaped pillar carved with a human face at the Neolithic site of Karahantepe in southeastern Türkiye — a discovery described as a first in human history. The finding was announced by Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy on his official X (Twitter) account, where he wrote: “Karahantepe — A first in history! Within the scope of our Taş Tepeler Project, a T-shaped pillar with a human face has been unearthed for the first time.” The discovery forms part of the Taş Tepeler (Stone Hills) Project, a long-term archaeological initiative led by the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism, which explores the earliest stages of human settlement and symbolic expression in the Şanlıurfa region. A Turning Point in Neolithic Symbolism For decades, the T-shaped pillars of Göbeklitepe and Karahantepe have been interpreted as stylized human figures, primarily due to the carved arms and hands visible on many examples. Yet, this new pillar — the first to bear a carved human face — marks a major leap in understanding how early Neolithic societies perceived themselves. The pillar’s face, featuring deep-set eyes, a pronounced nose, and sharp contours, resembles other human sculptures from Karahantepe. Experts say the find reflects not only the craftsmanship of early Anatolian communities but also their emerging capacity for abstract and self-referential thought. From Symbol to Identity Until now, these T-shaped monoliths were thought to serve either as structural elements or abstract human representations. The new find, however, provides the first direct depiction of the human visage, offering a rare glimpse into the earliest stages of self-image in human history. Karahantepe and the Taş Tepeler Network Dating back approximately 12,000 years, Karahantepe is one of several interconnected sites in the Taş Tepeler region, which also includes Göbeklitepe, Sefertepe, Sayburç, Harbetsuvan Tepesi, and Çakmaktepe. These settlements continue to reshape our understanding of humanity’s transition from nomadic life to organized, temple-centered communities. Together, they position Anatolia as one of the earliest centers of symbolic architecture and spiritual innovation.

A Historic First at Karahantepe: Human-Faced T-Shaped Pillar Unearthed in Türkiye

Archaeologists have uncovered a T-shaped pillar carved with a human face at the Neolithic site of Karahantepe in southeastern Türkiye — a discovery described as a first in human history. The finding was announced by Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy on his official X (Twitter) account, where he wrote: “Karahantepe — A

Scientists Identify the Woman Behind a 2,000-Year-Old Marble Head Found in Crimea

Scientists Identify the Woman Behind a 2,000-Year-Old Marble Head Found in Crimea

Researchers from Poland and Spain reveal that the ancient sculpture depicts a Roman lady named Laodike A team of researchers from Poland and Spain has identified the subject of a marble female head discovered in Crimea in 2003 as Laodike, a Roman woman who lived in the early centuries CE.According to the study, Laodike was

2,800-Year-Old Sanctuary of the Phrygian Mother Goddess Matar Unearthed at Attouda Ancient City

2,800-Year-Old Sanctuary of the Phrygian Mother Goddess Matar Unearthed at Attouda Ancient City

Archaeologists working at the ancient city of Attouda in Denizli’s Sarayköy district have uncovered a sanctuary dedicated to the Phrygian Mother Goddess Matar (Kybele), dating back 2,600–2,800 years. The discovery includes a monumental rock sanctuary, a sacred cave, and a unique twin rock idol. The excavations are carried out under the supervision of Hulusi Ünsal,

1,800-Year-Old Roman Agora Unearthed in the Ancient City of Metropolis

1,800-Year-Old Roman Agora Unearthed in the Ancient City of Metropolis

Archaeologists excavating the ancient city of Metropolis in İzmir, Türkiye, have uncovered a 1,800-year-old Roman-era agora that once served as the commercial heart of the settlement. Experts suggest it may be the largest trade center ever identified in the city. Located between the modern villages of Yeniköy and Özbey in Torbalı, Metropolis is also known

7,000-Year-Old Ubaid-Period Human Footprints Unearthed at Tell Kurdu Mound

7,000-Year-Old Ubaid-Period Human Footprints Unearthed at Tell Kurdu Mound

Archaeologists working at Tell Kurdu Mound in Hatay, southern Türkiye, have uncovered a discovery rarely seen in Anatolian archaeology: five human footprints dating back 7,000 years. According to Türkiye’s Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, the footprints were found in layers dated to around 3200 BCE (Ubaid period). “Steps taken seven millennia ago

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