Evidence of 6,000-Year-Old Sacrificial Rituals Unearthed at Tadım Fortress Excavations in Elazığ
Archaeological excavations at Tadım Fortress and Mound in Elazığ, eastern Türkiye, have revealed striking evidence of religious practices dating back nearly 6,000 years. Conducted under the direction of the Elazığ Archaeology and Ethnography Museum, the investigations are shedding new light on both daily life and ritual traditions of the region’s prehistoric communities. This season, archaeologists
5300 Years of Life Traces: Settlement History from the Late Chalcolithic to the Bronze Age Revealed at Çaltılar Mound
Archaeological excavations at Çaltılar Mound (Çaltılar Höyük) in Türkiye’s Muğla province reveal a settlement history beginning on the edge of a marsh 5,300 years ago, later expanding into a fortified center through the Chalcolithic and Bronze Ages. The only mound excavation currently active in Muğla, Çaltılar Mound, is offering new insights into the region’s prehistoric
Mysterious 2,200-Year-Old Galatian Spear from Hattusa Goes on Display for the First Time
A unique 2,200-year-old iron spear, unearthed in the ancient Hittite capital of Hattusa, is now on public display for the first time. The weapon, unlike anything else found in Anatolia, is the centerpiece of the “Hapalki: Iron” exhibition at the Boğazköy Museum in Türkiye’s Çorum province. The spear was discovered in 2010 during excavations carried
Unearthed Legacy: Körzüt Fortress Identified as “Haldi’s Sacred City” Through Cuneiform Tablets
Excavations in eastern Türkiye’s Van Province have revealed that the ancient Körzüt Fortress—built by the Urartians—was once known as “Haldi Patari,” meaning “The Sacred City of Haldi.” The discovery stems from the deciphering of cuneiform tablets found within a monumental temple complex. Perched on the volcanic slopes of the Muradiye district, Körzüt Fortress has long
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