The 2,700-Year-Old Siloam Inscription: Israel’s Repatriation Request from Türkiye
The Siloam Inscription, dating back nearly 2,700 years, is considered one of the earliest known examples of Hebrew writing. Discovered near Jerusalem in 1880—then under Ottoman rule—the inscription was transferred to the Imperial Museum (today’s Istanbul Archaeology Museums), where it has been preserved ever since. While Israel has repeatedly requested its return, Turkish law classifies
Archaeologists Discover Hittite Bird Divination Tablets and Royal Seals in the Ancient City of Samuha
Archaeologists working at the Hittite settlement of Kayalıpınar, known in antiquity as Samuha, have uncovered an extraordinary state archive containing 56 cuneiform tablets on bird divination and 22 seal impressions belonging to kings, princes, princesses, priests, and high-ranking officials of the Hittite Empire. The excavation was led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Çiğdem Maner of Koç
Bronze Age Idols Unearthed in Western Türkiye: 4,500-Year-Old Ritual Treasures Found at Tavşanlı Höyük
Archaeologists have uncovered a remarkable collection of 4,500-year-old human-shaped idols at Tavşanlı Höyük, one of the largest Bronze Age settlements in Western Anatolia. The discovery, announced by Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, includes marble, bone, and terracotta figures that provide unprecedented insights into the spiritual and domestic life of the Early Bronze Age.
12 Ancient Human Skulls Unearthed at Sefertepe, Offering New Insights into Neolithic Rituals
Archaeologists excavating the prehistoric site of Sefertepe in southeastern Türkiye have uncovered 12 additional human skulls dating back approximately 10,500 years. The discovery, part of the landmark “Taş Tepeler” (Stone Hills) project, sheds new light on Neolithic ritual practices in the region. Sefertepe, one of the key Neolithic sites under the “Şanlıurfa Neolithic Research Project
Newly Unearthed “North Temple” in Blaundos Reveals Ancient City’s Religious Continuity
Archaeologists have uncovered a monumental temple in the ancient city of Blaundos (modern Ulubey, Uşak, Türkiye), shedding light on the city’s religious and cultural life across centuries. The newly revealed North Temple, believed to date back nearly 1,900 years, was constructed on a high podium and remained in use well into the Byzantine era, making
5,000-Year-Old Evidence of Charcoal-Based Medicine and Ancient Antibiotic Resistance Unearthed in Zonguldak’s İnönü Cave
A groundbreaking interdisciplinary study led by archaeologists and microbiologists from Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University (BEUN) has revealed that prehistoric communities in northern Türkiye were using charcoal for medicinal purposes 5,000 years ago. The same project also traced the origins of antibiotic resistance genes back more than 6,000 years, challenging assumptions that resistance emerged solely due
Mythology Film Festival Comes to Ancient Tralleis: Cinema, Music, and Literature in a 3,000-Year-Old City
The ancient city of Tralleis in Aydın, Türkiye, will host its first-ever cultural event on September 25: the 3rd International Mythology Film Festival. Visitors will experience film screenings, concerts, and discussions amid the ruins of this once-thriving Roman-era city. The spotlight is turning to Tralleis, one of Western Anatolia’s most storied archaeological sites—not for a
Rare 2,200-Year-Old Sun Dial Discovered at Aigai Ancient City in Türkiye
Archaeologists working in the ancient city of Aigai, one of Aiolis’ best-preserved settlements, have unearthed a remarkable Hellenistic-era sun dial dating back more than two millennia. The artifact, found in a single, undamaged piece inside the city’s Bouleuterion (council house), provides fresh evidence of the advanced scientific knowledge and artistic craftsmanship of the time. An
76 Cuneiform-Inscribed Pithoi Unearthed in Kevenli Fortress: Uncovering Urartu’s Largest Ancient Storage Center
Archaeologists in Türkiye’s eastern Van province have unearthed 76 massive pithoi (storage jars) inscribed with cuneiform markings at Kevenli Fortress, a Urartian stronghold on the slopes of Mount Erek. The exceptional find offers new insight into Urartu’s agricultural economy and stands as the largest known ancient storage facility in the Van region. Rare Inscriptions Reveal
Traces of the Kaška People Unearthed at Oymaağaç Höyük: New Clues to the Hittite Sacred City of Nerik
In the Vezirköprü district of Samsun, northern Türkiye, Oymaağaç Höyük—identified over two decades of excavations as the Hittite sacred city of Nerik—has revealed new traces of the elusive Kaška people, one of Anatolia’s lesser-known indigenous groups. Recent finds, including architecture and pottery from the Middle Bronze Age and Iron Age, are offering unprecedented insights into