17th-Century Dutch Bronze Ship Cannon Discovered During Shipbreaking in İzmir Goes on Display
A routine shipbreaking operation in western Türkiye has led to an unexpected historical discovery: a 17th-century Dutch bronze ship cannon and its ammunition, found hidden inside a vessel dismantled in İzmir. The artifacts, uncovered by chance, are now on public display for the first time. Hidden Inside a Modern Vessel The discovery was made in
3,500-Year-Old Hittite Storm God Figurine Unearthed in Türkiye Goes on Display for the First Time
A remarkably small yet technologically advanced Hittite storm god figurine, dating back around 3,500 years, has gone on public display for the first time in central Türkiye. Measuring just 7.65 centimeters, the object is already drawing attention for what specialists describe as an unusual combination of miniature scale and complex engineering. Discovered by chance in
2,200-Year-Old Contract from Amos Reveals Strict Farming Rules in Ancient Anatolia
In ancient Anatolia, paying rent was not just about money. A newly studied 2,200-year-old contract from Amos Ancient City shows that tenants were required to plant hundreds of vines and dozens of fig trees—with even the depth of each sapling carefully prescribed. The inscription, now housed in the Fethiye Archaeological Museum, was recovered from a
This 4th-Century Mosaic in Türkiye Reveals the Legendary Wealth of Troy
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
Harbetsuvan Tepesi Reveals Organized Neolithic Settlement 10,000 Years Ago
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
5,000-Year-Old Bread Discovered at Küllüoba Reveals Early Recipe and Ritual Use in Bronze Age Anatolia
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
Under the Blazing Sun, It All Began: The First Day of the Patara Lighthouse Excavation
The Patara Lighthouse excavation began under a blazing July sun in 2004, as a small team of archaeologists and students pushed through sand and heat with little indication of what lay beneath. There was no road, no visible structure—only dunes stretching toward the sea. But even then, there was a growing sense that this was
New Excavations Begin at Pessinus, One of Anatolia’s Most Important Ancient Religious Centers
A new excavation season is beginning at Pessinus, a site long recognized as one of Anatolia’s key religious and cultural centers. The project will be carried out under the direction of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Adem Yurtsever of Anadolu University, following a recent reassignment of excavation leadership. The transition reflects the standard practice within Turkish archaeology
2,400-Year-Old Submerged City Remains Filmed Beneath Dicle Dam in Diyarbakır
Beneath the still surface of the Dicle Dam Lake, traces of an older Eğil are still there — not erased, just hidden. Recent underwater footage recorded in the Eğil district of Diyarbakır has brought these remains back into view. During a routine training dive, search-and-rescue teams documented architectural structures lying beneath the reservoir — some
Savatra Ancient City Photograph Wins “Photo of the Year” at 2026 Current Archaeology Awards
A remarkable photograph taken at the ancient city of Savatra in central Anatolia has been selected as “Photo of the Year” at the 2026 Current Archaeology Awards, one of the most recognized international honors in the field of archaeology. Captured by Turkish photographer Tahir Ceylan, the award-winning image presents the ruins of Savatra beneath a