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.
3,500-Year-Old ‘Kitchen Set’ Discovered at Karahöyük in Türkiye’s Central Anatolia
Archaeological excavations in Karahöyük, located in Konya’s Meram district, have revealed striking finds that shed light on everyday life in central Anatolia around 3,500 years ago. A complete kitchen set consisting of a jug, a plate, and a handled cup, along with silver plates wrapped in cloth, children’s toys, figurines, and cremation burials, has been
Evidence of 6,000-Year-Old Sacrificial Rituals Unearthed at Tadım Fortress Excavations in Elazığ
Archaeological excavations at Tadım Fortress and Mound in Elazığ, eastern Türkiye, have revealed striking evidence of religious practices dating back nearly 6,000 years. Conducted under the direction of the Elazığ Archaeology and Ethnography Museum, the investigations are shedding new light on both daily life and ritual traditions of the region’s prehistoric communities. This season, archaeologists
The Statue of Hestia, the Guardian Goddess of Aigai, from the Hellenistic Period, is Now on Display at the Manisa Museum
A 2.7-meter-tall marble statue of the goddess Hestia, discovered in 2005 during excavations at the ancient city of Aigai in western Türkiye, is now on display for the first time. Believed to be the only known Hestia statue from the Hellenistic period that has survived to the present day, it is showcased in a specially
A First in Anatolian Archaeology: 2,050-Year-Old Hexagonal Council House Unearthed in Laodicea
During the 2025 excavation season at Laodicea, an ancient city located in Denizli and listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List, archaeologists have uncovered a unique 2,050-year-old council house (bouleuterion) dating back to the reign of Roman Emperor Augustus. The architectural rarity stands out for its unusual hexagonal design—marking the first such example ever
Turkish Archaeology Student Awarded Prestigious Fellowship for Groundbreaking Research on Ancient Lycia
Batuhan Özdemir’s critical study of 19th-century British perceptions of Lycia earns him a coveted BIAA–Bilkent postdoctoral fellowship, spotlighting Türkiye’s growing presence in international archaeology. A major success in Anatolian heritage studies has emerged from the UK, where Turkish archaeology student Batuhan Özdemir has been awarded a prestigious postdoctoral fellowship jointly supported by the British Institute
1,400-Year-Old Intact Bronze Cauldron Discovered in the Mosaic House at Pergamon
An exceptionally well-preserved bronze cauldron, dating back approximately 1,400 years, has been unearthed during archaeological excavations in the ancient city of Pergamon, located in the Bergama district of İzmir, western Türkiye. The cauldron was found in its original position, inside a pool situated in the stone courtyard of a building complex known as the “Mosaic
Archaeologists Discover Centuries-Old Prayer Tablet and Ottoman-Era Treasures in Eastern Türkiye
Archaeologists working at the historic Bitlis Castle in eastern Türkiye have unearthed a rare centuries-old prayer tablet along with Ottoman-era coins, ceramic fragments, an ancient water distribution system, and several graves. The discovery is shedding new light on the region’s diverse religious and cultural history. The excavation, authorized by the Turkish Ministry of Culture and
Four-Generation Monument from the Late Hittite Period with Luwian Hieroglyphs: The İspeçkır Stele
Discovered in 1907 in the Darende district of Malatya, Türkiye, the İspeçkır Stele is an extraordinary artifact from the Late Hittite Period (circa 1200–700 BCE). Today, it is on display at the Sivas Archaeology Museum, offering visitors a unique glimpse into the royal lineage and belief systems of the ancient Hittite world. The monument features