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
Massive Sardis Synagogue with Vast Mosaics Reveals Jewish Presence in Roman Anatolia
One of the largest synagogues of the ancient world still stands at Sardis—its vast mosaic floors stretching across nearly 1,400 square meters, quietly preserving the footprint of a once-powerful Jewish community in Roman Anatolia. Set within one of the city’s most prominent public complexes, the structure does more than impress with its scale. It reveals
600-Year-Old Rock-Cut Ottoman Endowment Inscription Restored in Amasya, Possibly Unique Worldwide
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.
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
Ottoman Village Square Discovered at Sillyon Ancient City in Antalya
A quiet patch of ruins in southern Türkiye has revealed an unexpected layer of history. At the ancient city of Sillyon, archaeologists have identified the remains of an Ottoman-era village square, complete with a mosque, a water source, and an open communal space—suggesting that the site remained a living settlement long after antiquity. The discovery
Looters Target 2,300-Year-Old Amyzon as Excavations in Ancient Carian City Remain Delayed
The ancient city of Amyzon, located in Aydın Province in western Türkiye, has become increasingly vulnerable to looting after long-planned archaeological excavations failed to begin. Dating back more than 2,300 years, the Carian city preserves impressive defensive walls and architectural remains. Yet despite its archaeological importance, Amyzon has not been the focus of a systematic
World’s Only Life-Size Bronze Mars Statue Now Viewable Up Close at Zeugma Mosaic Museum
Visitors to the Zeugma Mosaic Museum in Gaziantep can now experience one of the institution’s most remarkable masterpieces from a completely new perspective. A specially constructed viewing platform allows the public to approach the museum’s approximately 2,000-year-old bronze statue of Mars more closely than ever before. The museum, established in 2011 across a 30,000-square-meter complex
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
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
International Research Grant Brings Syedra Ancient City’s Theater into the Global Archaeological Spotlight
A major international academic partnership has elevated archaeological research at Syedra, as a joint Turkish–French project led by Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University receives competitive bilateral funding under the Bosphorus Programme.The project is notably the first international bilateral research initiative in the university’s history—marking a milestone for both the institution and the archaeological study of southern