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
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
1,800-Year-Old Vase with Masked Actor Depiction Unearthed in Aigai Now on Display
A rare terracotta vase featuring a depiction of an ancient theatrical mask has been unearthed during excavations at the ancient city of Aigai in western Türkiye. Dated to around 1,800 years ago, the artifact is now on display at the Manisa Archaeological Museum and is considered one of the best-preserved examples of its kind in
160-Year-Old Church in Çeşme Turned Into Parking Lot: 300-Year-Old Statue Stolen
In the Altınyunus district of Çeşme, İzmir, a small 19th-century church has been left to decay after decades of neglect. Once home to a rare 300-year-old architectural statue of Jesus, the site has been looted, vandalized, and even turned into an informal parking lot. Forgotten Heritage on the Aegean Coast Estimated to have been built
Tomb of Menodora, One of Rome’s Most Generous Women, Unearthed in Sillyon, Antalya
Archaeologists excavating the ancient city of Sillyon in Antalya’s Serik district have uncovered the tomb of Menodora, a wealthy Roman benefactor known for financing public buildings and establishing a foundation for children. The discovery sheds new light on the role of women in urban development during the Roman Empire. The excavation, led by Assoc. Prof.
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
Traces of the Lost Kingdom of Purušhanda: Three Ovens and Two Hearths Unearthed in Üçhöyük
Archaeologists working at Üçhöyük in Bolvadin, Afyonkarahisar (western Türkiye) have uncovered new evidence that may shed light on the long-sought lost kingdom of Purušhanda. This season’s excavations revealed three mudbrick-built ovens and two hearths, suggesting large-scale production activities dating back to the second millennium BC. Excavations at Üçhöyük began in 2020 and have continued under
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
83 Roman Coins Repatriated from the United States to Türkiye
Eighty-three Roman-era coins minted in Anatolia during the 3rd and 4th centuries AD have been returned to Turkey following a joint effort between the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). The repatriation was formally announced at a ceremony held at the Republic Museum in Ankara. Minted in Anatolia,
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