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
Ancient Nomadic Burial Mounds Unearthed in Mongolia Reveal Turkish-Mongol Cultural Legacy
Joint archaeological excavations led by Turkish and Mongolian scholars are shedding new light on the burial traditions of nomadic civilizations that once roamed the vast Eurasian steppes. As part of the “Culture of Horsemen” project, carried out in collaboration between Istanbul University and Mongolian State University, archaeological excavations have resumed in the Tuv Province of
Forgotten Hittite Legacy in İzmir: Karabel Rock Monument Cries for Help
Hidden among the rugged hills of western Türkiye, the Karabel Rock Monument, a rare and invaluable Hittite relic, is slowly deteriorating due to neglect, vandalism, and lack of protection. Situated along the Kemalpaşa–Torbalı road in İzmir, this ancient site stands as one of the last surviving examples of Hittite rock art in Anatolia. A 3,000-Year-Old
Troy’s Hidden Battlefield: Could the Fabled War Be More Than Just Myth?
Excavations in northwestern Türkiye may finally bridge the gap between legend and reality, as archaeologists uncover new clues pointing to a real conflict behind the ancient tale of the Trojan War. For centuries, the story of the Trojan War has lived on in epic poetry, dramatic films, and school textbooks—a sweeping saga of love, betrayal,
The World’s Oldest Known House Model, Dating Back 12,000 Years, Is on Display in Türkiye
A 12,000-year-old architectural model—believed to be the oldest house model ever discovered—has been unearthed at Çayönü Hill in Diyarbakır, Türkiye, and is now on public display at the Diyarbakır Museum. The Çayönü archaeological site, located in the Ergani district of southeastern Türkiye, continues to offer groundbreaking insights into the origins of settled life. Among the
Tracing the Millennia-Long Journey of Obsidian from Bitlis to the Levant
A new archaeological project led by Bitlis Eren University (BEU) aims to uncover the ancient trade and cultural pathways that carried obsidian from the volcanic mountains of Bitlis, Türkiye, to the heart of the Middle East thousands of years ago. Obsidian, a naturally occurring volcanic glass, was a prized material in the Neolithic era, used
Rare 3,500-Year-Old Hittite Sword Now on Display at Kastamonu Museum in Türkiye
A rare bronze sword dating back 3,500 years to the Hittite civilization is now on public display at Kastamonu Museum in northern Türkiye. The artifact is part of a newly opened bronze exhibition titled “102 Exhibitions for the 102nd Anniversary: A Journey Through Anatolia’s Cultural Heritage in the Light of the Republic.” Measuring 42 centimeters
Türkiye’s Culture Minister Ersoy on Göbeklitepe: “We Are Committed to Shedding Light on Human History”
On the 7th anniversary of Göbeklitepe’s inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List, Türkiye’s Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, emphasized the country’s ongoing efforts to preserve and study the site—often described as the “zero point of history.” Sharing his message via social media, Minister Ersoy stated: “Göbeklitepe, the oldest and most striking
Hagia Sophia in Crisis: “A 1,500-Year-Old Legacy on the Brink of Collapse”
Experts Sound the Alarm: “This is no longer a mosque or museum—it’s an emergency site” Built by the order of Byzantine Emperor Justinian I in 537 AD, Hagia Sophia has stood at the heart of Istanbul for nearly 1,500 years. Originally constructed as a cathedral, later converted into a mosque, then a museum, and once
Around 9,000 Years Ago: What Role Did Women Play in Çatalhöyük Society? New Discoveries Reveal Insights
Located in central Anatolia, the ancient settlement of Çatalhöyük continues to provide valuable insights into early human civilization. Recent interdisciplinary research has revealed that women held a significant role in shaping social structures nearly 9 millennia ago. An international team of scientists from Turkey, Denmark, Sweden, and the US examined the genetic makeup of 131