Over 100 Olive Oil Workshops Reveal Syedra’s Role as a Late Antique Production Hub
In the steep coastal hills of southern Türkiye, the ancient city of Syedra Ancient City is revealing a side of urban life rarely seen so clearly in Late Antiquity. Archaeological excavations have identified more than 100 olive oil workshops dating to the 5th–6th centuries AD, indicating that Syedra was not merely a residential settlement but
A Unique Artuqid-Era Ivory Archer’s Ring Discovered at Hasankeyf’s Great Palace
Archaeological excavations at Hasankeyf during the 2025 field season have yielded an exceptional discovery that sheds new light on elite culture in medieval Anatolia. In the southeastern corner of the Great Palace complex, researchers uncovered a rare ivory archer’s ring (zihgir) dating to the Artuqid period (12th–13th century)—a find described as unique both in material
Late Roman Mosaic with Protective “Solomon’s Knot” Discovered at Ancient Smyrna
Archaeologists working in the center of modern İzmir have uncovered a rare Late Roman mosaic floor featuring the Solomon’s knot, a symbol long associated with protection against misfortune and the evil eye. The discovery was made during ongoing excavations at Smyrna, one of western Anatolia’s most important Greco-Roman urban centers. Found along Smyrna’s main ancient
Myra’s Monumental Roman Theatre Set for Restoration as Archaeologists Call the City “Anatolia’s Pompeii”
Archaeological excavations and conservation projects at Myra Ancient City and its ancient harbor, Andriake, on Türkiye’s Mediterranean coast have entered a decisive new phase. Officials have confirmed that restoration of Myra’s monumental Roman theatre is scheduled to begin in 2026, while a selection of exceptionally rare artifacts uncovered during recent excavations is now being displayed
7,500-Year-Old Stone Seal Unearthed at Tadım Höyük in Eastern Anatolia
Archaeologists excavating Tadım Höyük, a multi-layered settlement mound in eastern Anatolia, have uncovered a rare stone seal dating back approximately 7,500 years, offering new insight into early social organization along the Upper Euphrates Basin. The discovery reinforces the region’s role as one of Anatolia’s earliest and most enduring centers of human settlement. The excavations are
Assyrian Goddess Ishtar Emerges on a Silver Pendant at the Ancient Port of Amos
At the ancient port city of Amos, overlooking the Gulf of Gökova on Türkiye’s southwestern coast, archaeologists have uncovered a rare silver pendant bearing symbols associated with the Assyrian goddess Ishtar. Small in scale but rich in meaning, the object offers new evidence for the cultural reach of Near Eastern belief systems into coastal Anatolia
Possible Phoenician Infant Jar Burials Discovered at Oluz Höyük in Central Anatolia
Archaeological excavations at Oluz Höyük, an ancient multi-layered settlement near the modern city of Amasya in north-central Türkiye, have uncovered a group of infant and fetal burials that may point to previously undocumented Phoenician ritual practices in the Anatolian interior. The burials, placed inside ceramic jars, are considered unique within the archaeological record of Anatolia
Rare 1,800-Year-Old Domed Roman Tomb Unearthed in Southeastern Anatolia
An archaeological discovery in southeastern Anatolia has brought to light a rare and architecturally sophisticated funerary structure. In the rural landscape of Besni, a district of Adıyaman, museum experts have identified a domed tomb chamber dating to the 2nd century CE—approximately 1,800 years ago—marking one of the most notable funerary finds ever recorded in the
Villagers Used Stones from a Zeus Temple to Build Their Homes
In northern Anatolia, the remains of an ancient Roman sanctuary have resurfaced in a way few would expect. In the Daday district of Kastamonu, villagers once took stones from a temple dedicated to Zeus and reused them in the construction of their homes, embedding fragments of a sacred monument into everyday domestic architecture. The site
Excavations Begin at the Late Roman Rabat Castle Built to Protect Key Trade Routes
Archaeological excavations have begun at Rabat Castle, a Late Roman–period stronghold rising 955 meters above sea level in the Derik district of Mardin. Spreading across roughly 5.5 hectares, the fortress occupies a commanding position overlooking routes that once connected Anatolia with Upper Mesopotamia. Archaeological assessments indicate that Rabat Castle was constructed during the Late Roman