Friday, July 18 2025
3,000-Year-Old Lead-Free Eyeliner Discovered in Iran Reveals Ancient Cosmetic Innovation

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3,000-Year-Old Lead-Free Eyeliner Discovered in Iran Reveals Ancient Cosmetic Innovation

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Archaeologists in northwestern Iran have uncovered a groundbreaking 3,000-year-old eyeliner made from natural minerals—without any lead—offering rare insight into the beauty rituals and technological sophistication of Iron Age societies. In a remarkable discovery from the Iron Age III period (7th–9th centuries BCE), researchers have identified an entirely lead-free eyeliner formula in the Kani Koter cemetery,

6,000-Year-Old Temple with Blood Channel and Altar Unearthed in Elazığ, Türkiye

6,000-Year-Old Temple with Blood Channel and Altar Unearthed in Elazığ, Türkiye

A 6,000-year-old temple site has been discovered during archaeological excavations in the village of Tadım in Elazığ, eastern Türkiye. This significant find sheds new light on the region’s ancient past. The excavations, coordinated by Türkiye’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism and carried out by the Elazığ Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism together with the

Antandros Ancient City

2025 Excavation Season Begins at Antandros Ancient City: Focus on Early Christian Baptistery

The 2025 excavation season has officially started at the ancient city of Antandros, located in the Edremit district of Balıkesir, Türkiye. Led by Prof. Dr. Gürcan Polat, a faculty member at Ege University’s Department of Classical Archaeology, the excavation team continues to uncover the deep-rooted history of the site. Baptistery Becomes the Main Excavation Area

2,700-Year-Old Urartian Columns Unearthed at Kef Castle

2,700-Year-Old Urartian Columns Unearthed at Kef Castle: A Discovery Shedding Light on Anatolian History

Archaeological excavations at Kef Castle, located in the Adilcevaz district of Bitlis province, have revealed a stunning discovery: 49 massive “elephant foot” columns, dating back nearly 2,700 years to the Urartian period. Perched on the slopes of Mount Süphan and overlooking the breathtaking Van Lake, Kef Castle was built by King Rusa II of the

Archaeologists Discover Centuries-Old Prayer Tablet and Ottoman-Era Treasures in Eastern Türkiye

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

Archaeologists have uncovered a 1,700-year-old Roman bathhouse in a field in the village of Salkaya, located in Elazığ province in eastern Turkey. The discovery, which was made possible through ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and systematic excavations, offers valuable insights into the region’s Roman past and is believed to have belonged to an elite social class of the Late Roman Empire. The bath complex includes cold, warm, and hot rooms, a hypocaust (underfloor heating system), sweat rooms, pools, and both fresh and wastewater channels. With its advanced engineering and well-preserved structure, experts say the bathhouse stands out as one of the most significant Roman-era discoveries in the region. From Mosaic to Monument: Signs of an Ancient Settlement The initial clue to the area's rich history emerged in 2023 when a local farmer digging to plant cherry trees stumbled upon a colorful Roman floor mosaic adorned with animal figures. Following this discovery, researchers conducted GPR scans in the surrounding area and identified the outline of a larger structure just 70 meters to the south. Excavations in 2024 confirmed the presence of a Roman bath complex covering approximately 75 square meters. This finding has expanded the archaeological significance of the area and sparked renewed interest in its ancient urban layout. "We Believe This Was a Roman Settlement" Ahmet Demirdağ, Director of Culture and Tourism for Elazığ Province, emphasized the importance of the discovery: “The architectural features and technical complexity of the bathhouse indicate that it was used by members of the upper class. This find strongly suggests that the area was once a Roman settlement. We have now registered 30 acres of land for further exploration.” Demirdağ added that ongoing excavations aim to uncover more structures from the same period, further enriching the region's cultural heritage. A First for Elazığ Lead archaeologist Emre Çayır highlighted that this is the first Roman bathhouse of its kind discovered within Elazığ’s borders. “The hypocaust heating system, the well-preserved layout of hot, warm, and cold rooms, and the use of basalt and limestone blocks all point to advanced Roman engineering. It’s remarkable that such a structure was hidden beneath agricultural land for so long.” According to Çayır, the site offers not only architectural value but also deep insights into the public health practices, water culture, and daily life of Roman society in Anatolia.

Ancient Roman Bathhouse Discovered Beneath Farmland in Eastern Anatolia

Archaeologists have uncovered a 1,700-year-old Ancient Roman bathhouse in a field in the village of Salkaya, located in Elazığ province in eastern Anatolia. The discovery, which was made possible through ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and systematic excavations, offers valuable insights into the region’s Roman past and is believed to have belonged to an elite social class

İspeçkır Stele

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

Archaeologists Trace Hittite Culinary Culture at Uşaklı Höyük Excavations

Archaeologists Trace Hittite Culinary Culture at Uşaklı Höyük Excavations

In the village of Büyük Taşlık, located in the Sorgun district of Yozgat, central Türkiye, archaeologists at the Uşaklı Höyük excavation site are uncovering vital clues about the ancient culinary traditions of the Hittites. From charred seeds to cooking utensils, these findings are shedding light on how this Bronze Age civilization cooked and ate—offering insights

Sardis Ancient City and Lydian Tumuli in Türkiye Added to UNESCO World Heritage List

Sardis Ancient City and Lydian Tumuli in Türkiye Added to UNESCO World Heritage List

Lydian Capital Recognized as Global Cultural Heritage The Sardis Ancient City and the Bin Tepe (Thousand Mounds) Lydian Tumuli, located in Salihli, Manisa Province, Türkiye, have officially been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. This marks Türkiye’s 22nd cultural site recognized as part of humanity’s shared legacy. The Birthplace of Coinage Joins the UNESCO

Illegal Excavation in Türkiye’s Tokat Uncovers Rare Roman Mosaic

Illegal Excavation in Türkiye’s Tokat Uncovers Rare Roman Mosaic

An illegal excavation in the Zile district of Tokat province has led to the unexpected discovery of a colorful Roman-era mosaic, shedding new light on the region’s rich and ancient history. Archaeologists believe the intricately designed floor mosaic may have once adorned a public building during the Roman period. Tokat is known as one of

Byzantine-Era Child and Adult Burials Unearthed in Turkey’s Ancient City of Herakleia

Byzantine-Era Child and Adult Burials Unearthed in Türkiye’s Ancient City of Herakleia

Archaeological excavations in the ancient city of Herakleia, located in the Milas district of Muğla, southwestern Türkiye, have revealed numerous burials dating back to the Byzantine period. The high number of child graves raises the possibility of a historical epidemic having struck the region. Excavation work continues to uncover remarkable findings at Herakleia, an ancient

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