Meryem Ana Mountain in Cappadocia Reveals 93-Room Rock-Cut Complex, Ancient Sacred Site
A little-known highland site in central Türkiye is emerging as one of Cappadocia’s most intriguing historical landscapes. Recent work at Meryem Ana Mountain, a 1,603-meter peak near Ürgüp, has brought to light a large rock-cut complex and clear evidence of long-term religious use, reshaping understanding of the area’s cultural depth. Located between the villages of
15 Newly Identified Churches at Binbir Kilise (Karadağ) Expand Understanding of Byzantine Sacred Landscapes in Central Anatolia
Recent fieldwork in central Anatolia has significantly expanded the archaeological understanding of the Binbir Kilise (Thousand and One Churches) region, located on the slopes of Karadağ, north of Karaman. A survey led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. İlker Mete Mimiroğlu of Necmettin Erbakan University has identified at least 15 previously undocumented churches and chapels, alongside additional
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
Central Anatolia’s Largest Mosaic Site Officially Declared an Archaeological Area in Kayseri
A major archaeological site in central Türkiye has gained official protection status after years of excavation revealed one of the region’s most extensive mosaic complexes. The mosaic structure uncovered in Örenşehir, İncesu (Kayseri)—described as the largest of its kind in Central Anatolia—has now been formally designated as an “archaeological site” (ören yeri), marking a significant
New Excavations Begin at Pessinus, One of Anatolia’s Most Important Ancient Religious Centers
A new excavation season is beginning at Pessinus, a site long recognized as one of Anatolia’s key religious and cultural centers. The project will be carried out under the direction of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Adem Yurtsever of Anadolu University, following a recent reassignment of excavation leadership. The transition reflects the standard practice within Turkish archaeology
Konya’s “Dümdüm Rock”: A Phrygian Tomb That Echoes Across Time
In the rural landscape of central Anatolia, a solitary rock formation near İncesu village in Seydişehir, Konya Province, carries both an archaeological legacy and a local legend. Known as “Dümdüm Rock,” the site preserves a rock-cut tomb attributed to the Phrygian period—an era that shaped much of Anatolia’s early Iron Age cultural identity. What sets
New 7.7-Million-Year-Old Fossils Unearthed in Central Anatolia: Kayseri Site Reveals Younger Species Remains
Fresh fossil discoveries in central Türkiye are offering new insight into Anatolia’s deep-time biodiversity. Excavations near the Yamula Dam locality in Kayseri have yielded 103 new fossil fragments during the 2025 field season—remains that researchers believe may belong to a younger species than those previously documented at the site. The finds come from the Çevril–Taşhan
A Kingdom in the Shadow of Assyria: The Topada Inscription and the Politics of War in 8th-Century Anatolia
In central Anatolia, near modern Nevşehir, the Topada Inscription preserves one of the most important royal inscriptions of the 8th century BCE. Commissioned by Wasusarma, king of Tabal, and carved in Hieroglyphic Luwian, the monument documents a regional war involving eight rival kings and reflects the shifting balance of power under the expanding shadow of
Seljuk-Era Bronze Amulet Discovered at Ancient Lystra in Central Türkiye
Archaeological excavations at ancient Lystra, near Konya in central Türkiye, have revealed a Seljuk-era bronze amulet, adding a new dimension to the city’s already layered history. The triangular pendant was uncovered inside what archaeologists believe to be a Seljuk-period residential structure — alongside material evidence linked to Christian communities living under Seljuk rule. The excavations
A Sealed Medieval Reliquary Cross Unearthed at Ancient Lystra in Central Anatolia
Archaeological excavations at Lystra Ancient City, located in central Anatolia, have brought to light a rare Christian artifact: a sealed bronze reliquary cross dating to between the 9th and 11th centuries. The object was discovered intact during excavations in the church area of the ancient settlement, offering valuable insight into medieval Christian belief and burial