3,000-Meter-High Stronghold Discovered in Eastern Türkiye May Reveal Urartian Secrets
Archaeologists unveil a massive high-altitude Iron Age fortress in Van’s Tirişin Plateau, offering rare insight into the military and pastoral strategies of ancient eastern Anatolia. In a groundbreaking discovery that could reshape our understanding of highland civilizations in eastern Anatolia, archaeologists in Türkiye have uncovered the ruins of a colossal mountain-top fortress nearly 3,000 meters
Bilkent University Takes Over Excavations at Ancient Sagalassos, the Summit of Pisidia
One of the most ambitious archaeological transitions in Türkiye has taken place in the ancient city of Sagalassos, nestled high in the Taurus Mountains. Bilkent University has officially assumed the directorship of the Sagalassos excavations from the Catholic University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Belgium, after 35 years of continuous research. The project is now led
Reviving the Bread of the Hittites: Ancient Recipe Recreated by Women’s Cooperative in Central Türkiye
In the heart of Anatolia, a 3,500-year-old culinary tradition has been brought back to life. Inspired by cuneiform tablets unearthed in the ancient Hittite capital of Hattusa (modern-day Boğazkale), a women’s cooperative in the Turkish province of Çorum has successfully recreated “Hittite bread” using organic, pre-industrial methods. Led by agricultural engineer Tuba Topkara, the Valide
119 Years of Excavations at Hattusa: New Discoveries in the Mysterious Area Between the Great Temple and Palace
In Boğazkale, Çorum Province, the ancient capital of the Hittites, Hattusa, has entered its 119th season of excavation. Led by Professor Dr. Andreas Schachner, the archaeological team is conducting in-depth research between the Great Temple and the palace, aiming to uncover new insights into the Hittite civilization’s different periods and their cultural heritage. A Century-Long
A First in Anatolian Archaeology: 2,050-Year-Old Hexagonal Council House Unearthed in Laodicea
During the 2025 excavation season at Laodicea, an ancient city located in Denizli and listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List, archaeologists have uncovered a unique 2,050-year-old council house (bouleuterion) dating back to the reign of Roman Emperor Augustus. The architectural rarity stands out for its unusual hexagonal design—marking the first such example ever
9-Million-Year-Old Fossils of Elephants, Giraffes, and Rhinos Unearthed Together in Türkiye
A stunning fossil discovery in central Türkiye is offering a rare glimpse into the Miocene period’s megafauna. Excavations at the Çorakyerler Vertebrate Fossil Locality in Çankırı have revealed over 20 fossilized remains—including elephants, rhinos, and giraffes—all found within just two square meters of sediment. Led by a 15-member team, the 2025 excavation season has unearthed
Footprint of an Urartian Woman Goes on Public Display for the First Time in Van Museum
Dating back nearly 3,000 years, a remarkably preserved female footprint imprinted in mudbrick reveals rare insight into daily life and women’s labor during the Urartian era. A silent echo of an ancient life has surfaced for public view: a female footprint from the Urartian civilization is now on display for the first time at the
Archaeologists Discover Rare Hittite Cuneiform ‘Bird Omen Text’ at Samuha, an Important Cult Centre
A remarkable discovery has emerged from the ancient Hittite settlement of Samuha—modern-day Kayalıpınar, located in Türkiye’s Sivas province. Archaeologists have unearthed a rare cuneiform tablet containing what appears to be a bird omen text, shedding new light on the spiritual practices of the Hittites. The excavations are being led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Çiğdem Maner
Archaeologists Uncover Striking New Findings at the Royal Temple of Haldi in Ayanis Fortress
With special permission from the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism, excavations continue at Ayanis Fortress, one of the most monumental and well-preserved structures of the Urartian Kingdom. The ongoing work focuses on the Royal Temple complex dedicated to Haldi — the supreme deity of the Urartians — where remarkable new findings are being brought
2,700-Year-Old Bronze Knives Discovered in Kazakhstan Shed Light on Early Saka Culture
A team of archaeologists and students from Margulan University has made a groundbreaking discovery in Kazakhstan’s Pavlodar region: two rare bronze knives estimated to be over 2,700 years old. Found at the newly uncovered Toraygyr-7 burial site near the scenic Lake Toraygyr in Bayanaul National Park, the knives offer a unique glimpse into the advanced