Wednesday, April 15 2026
2,200-Year-Old Contract from Amos Reveals Strict Farming Rules in Ancient Anatolia

Anatolian News . Mediterrenian

2,200-Year-Old Contract from Amos Reveals Strict Farming Rules in Ancient Anatolia

Written by

Death Gates Discovered in Perge Stadium Reveal Late Roman Execution Arena

Anatolian News . Mediterrenian

‘Death Gates’ Unearthed in Perge: Ancient Stadium Transformed into Execution Arena

Written by

Binbir Kilise

Anatolian News . Central Anatolia

15 Newly Identified Churches at Binbir Kilise (Karadağ) Expand Understanding of Byzantine Sacred Landscapes in Central Anatolia

Written by

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

Anatolian News . Central Anatolia

833-Year-Old Leaning Minaret of Sivas Ulu Cami Enters Critical Restoration Phase

Written by

Massive Sardis Synagogue with Vast Mosaics Reveals Jewish Presence in Roman Anatolia

Anatolian News . Mediterrenian

Massive Sardis Synagogue with Vast Mosaics Reveals Jewish Presence in Roman Anatolia

Written by

Sillyon’s Hellenistic Walls
Written by April 9, 2026

Sillyon’s Hellenistic Walls Rise Again in Antalya, Reasserting One of Anatolia’s Most Formidable Ancient Defenses

Anatolian News . Mediterrenian Article

For centuries, Sillyon stood as a city few could reach—let alone conquer. Now, with the restoration of its Hellenistic walls, that reputation is becoming visible once again. Perched on a steep plateau in the Serik district of Antalya, Sillyon Ancient City was never an ordinary settlement. Its defensive strength began with geography. Sheer slopes and

Roadworks in Rize Reveal a Hidden 19th-Century Stone Bridge Buried Beneath the City
Written by April 8, 2026

Roadworks in Rize Reveal a Hidden 19th-Century Stone Bridge Buried Beneath the City

Anatolian News . Black Sea Article

A historic stone arch bridge in Rize, long buried beneath layers of road construction, has re-emerged during ongoing urban redevelopment works. Dating back to 1826, the structure had remained hidden for decades—preserved beneath asphalt and fill—until recent excavations brought it back into view. The bridge, locally known as the “Çitanın Bridge,” was uncovered along a

This 4th-Century Mosaic in Türkiye Reveals the Legendary Wealth of Troy
Written by April 7, 2026

This 4th-Century Mosaic in Türkiye Reveals the Legendary Wealth of Troy

Anatolian News Article

Discovered in the ancient city of Daphne (Harbiye) in southern Türkiye, the 4th-century Khresis Mosaic offers more than a decorative scene. It captures a moment where myth, wealth, and power intersect—rooted in the enduring memory of Troy’s legendary riches. Today, the mosaic is displayed at the Hatay Necmi Asfuroğlu Archaeology Museum, where it stands out

A 600-year-old Ottoman endowment inscription carved directly into natural bedrock has been restored in Amasya, northern Türkiye. Dating to 1418, the Bayezid Pasha foundation text is now readable again after years of damage, and experts say it may represent the only known example of a waqf inscription carved into living rock anywhere in the world. Located along the banks of the Yeşilırmak River, near the Leğenkaya Waterfall, the inscription had long been obscured by graffiti and surface deterioration. The recent restoration has not only cleaned the stone but also revealed a rare form of Ottoman documentation—one that was literally engraved into the landscape. A waqf text carved into living rock Commissioned by Grand Vizier Bayezid Pasha during the reign of Ottoman Sultan Mehmed I, the inscription differs fundamentally from typical waqf documents. Instead of being written on paper or carved onto a separate stone slab, the text was engraved directly into the natural rock surface. Before carving began, the rock face was carefully leveled to create a smooth plane resembling polished marble. The inscription, executed in relief, spans approximately 3 meters in width and 110 centimeters in height. It consists of eight lines in Arabic script and contains around 125 words, excluding particles. This deliberate and permanent method of inscription suggests a strong intention to embed the legal and charitable framework of the foundation into the physical environment itself. From vandalized surface to readable text Over time, the inscription suffered significant damage. Spray paint, scratches, and informal markings had turned the surface into what locals described as a “writing board,” obscuring much of the original text. The restoration process involved carefully removing paint residues using a controlled micro-abrasion technique with travertine powder. The weakened stone surface was then stabilized with compatible conservation materials. To improve legibility, conservators applied subtle shading, allowing the carved letters to stand out more clearly without altering the original structure. As a result, the inscription has regained much of its visual clarity. Protected for the future The intervention went beyond cleaning and stabilization. A reinforced protection system was installed around the site, including structural supports and a transparent protective layer over the inscription itself. Lighting was also added to enhance nighttime visibility, ensuring the inscription can be appreciated while remaining protected from further environmental and human damage. Why this inscription matters Waqf (endowment) documents played a central role in the Ottoman world, defining how religious, social, and charitable institutions were funded and maintained. These texts were typically recorded in manuscripts or occasionally inscribed on architectural elements. The Amasya example stands apart. By carving the endowment directly into bedrock, its creators transformed a legal document into a permanent public statement embedded in the natural landscape. According to regional heritage officials, this characteristic may make it the only known rock-cut waqf inscription of its kind globally—a claim that, if further supported, would place the monument in a unique position within both Ottoman studies and the broader history of epigraphy.
Written by April 6, 2026

600-Year-Old Rock-Cut Ottoman Endowment Inscription Restored in Amasya, Possibly Unique Worldwide

Anatolian News . Black Sea Article

A 600-year-old Ottoman endowment inscription carved directly into natural bedrock has been restored in Amasya, northern Türkiye. Dating to 1418, the Bayezid Pasha foundation text is now readable again after years of damage, and experts say it may represent the only known example of a waqf inscription carved into living rock anywhere in the world.

A Lost City Revealed by Chance: Ara Güler’s Photographs Brought Aphrodisias to the World
Written by April 5, 2026

A Lost City Revealed by Chance: Ara Güler’s Photographs Brought Aphrodisias to the World

Anatolian News Article

In 1958, the ancient city of Aphrodisias had yet to enter global awareness when Ara Güler took a wrong turn on a rural road in southwestern Türkiye.He was on assignment, covering a dam project in Aydın province. But an unexpected detour led him to the village of Geyre—and to something far older than anything he

Harbetsuvan Tepesi Reveals Organized Neolithic Settlement 10,000 Years Ago
Written by April 4, 2026

Harbetsuvan Tepesi Reveals Organized Neolithic Settlement 10,000 Years Ago

Anatolian News . Southeastern Anatolia Article

Harbetsuvan Tepesi, in southeastern Türkiye, doesn’t look like much at first. Low rises, scattered stones—nothing that immediately signals a breakthrough. But beneath that quiet surface, new research is pointing to something far more revealing: even small Neolithic communities were already living in structured, carefully organized settlements nearly 10,000 years ago. A Dense Settlement, Not a

147 Artifacts from 10,000-Year-Old Hasankeyf Go on Public Display for the First Time
Written by April 3, 2026

147 Artifacts from 10,000-Year-Old Hasankeyf Go on Public Display for the First Time

Anatolian News Article

For the first time, 147 archaeological artifacts unearthed in Hasankeyf are now on public display, offering visitors a rare, long-overdue encounter with one of Upper Mesopotamia’s deepest historical archives. Previously kept in storage, the collection has been brought into view as part of a new exhibition initiative at the Hasankeyf Museum. The display forms the

Medusa mosaic
Written by April 1, 2026

2,000-Year-Old Medusa Mosaic at Kibyra Reopens to Visitors in Türkiye

Anatolian News . Mediterrenian Article

In the ancient city of Kibyra, located in Burdur’s Gölhisar district, one of the most remarkable surviving works of Roman stone craftsmanship has been revealed once again. The 2,000-year-old Medusa mosaic, protected throughout the winter months, has now reopened to visitors with the arrival of the new season. Seasonal conservation and reopening Each year, the

A 5,000-Year-Old Bread Found at Küllüoba Höyük in Anatolia Reveals a Lost Recipe—and a Ritual Hidden at a Doorway
Written by March 31, 2026

5,000-Year-Old Bread Discovered at Küllüoba Reveals Early Recipe and Ritual Use in Bronze Age Anatolia

Anatolian News Article

A charred piece of bread unearthed at Küllüoba Höyük, near Eskişehir in western Türkiye, is offering an unusually intimate glimpse into daily life—and symbolic practices—during the Early Bronze Age. Dating back roughly 5,000 years, the find stands out not only for its preservation, but for where it was discovered: placed near the threshold of a

Muradiye Mosque
Written by March 30, 2026

600-Year-Old Pool Discovered Inside Ottoman Mosque in Bursa During Restoration

Anatolian News . Marmara and Thrace Article

A long-hidden architectural feature has come to light inside Bursa’s historic Muradiye Mosque, offering a rare glimpse into early Ottoman design practices. During ongoing restoration work, experts uncovered what is believed to be a nearly 600-year-old pool embedded within the mosque’s interior. Rediscovered Water Feature Sheds Light on Ottoman Design The Muradiye Mosque, commissioned by

1 2 3 … 118