Assyrian Goddess Ishtar Emerges on a Silver Pendant at the Ancient Port of Amos
At the ancient port city of Amos, overlooking the Gulf of Gökova on Türkiye’s southwestern coast, archaeologists have uncovered a rare silver pendant bearing symbols associated with the Assyrian goddess Ishtar. Small in scale but rich in meaning, the object offers new evidence for the cultural reach of Near Eastern belief systems into coastal Anatolia
Possible Phoenician Infant Jar Burials Discovered at Oluz Höyük in Central Anatolia
Archaeological excavations at Oluz Höyük, an ancient multi-layered settlement near the modern city of Amasya in north-central Türkiye, have uncovered a group of infant and fetal burials that may point to previously undocumented Phoenician ritual practices in the Anatolian interior. The burials, placed inside ceramic jars, are considered unique within the archaeological record of Anatolia
Rare 1,800-Year-Old Domed Roman Tomb Unearthed in Southeastern Anatolia
An archaeological discovery in southeastern Anatolia has brought to light a rare and architecturally sophisticated funerary structure. In the rural landscape of Besni, a district of Adıyaman, museum experts have identified a domed tomb chamber dating to the 2nd century CE—approximately 1,800 years ago—marking one of the most notable funerary finds ever recorded in the
2,500-Year-Old Carian Rock-Cut Tomb in Marmaris Placed Under Protection
A 2,500-year-old rock-cut tomb in Marmaris, southwestern Türkiye, has been formally secured under heritage protection following a conservation-focused intervention led by local authorities and academic specialists. The monument, known as the Yeşilbelde Rock Tomb, has been registered as a protected cultural asset and stabilized against environmental and structural risks. Located in Yeşilbelde neighborhood, the tomb
The Only Known City of the Neo-Hittite Kingdom of Tabal Stands on Mount Göllü in Central Anatolia
Around 2,800 years ago, the Neo-Hittite Kingdom of Tabal emerged as one of the successor states that reshaped central Anatolia following the collapse of the Hittite Empire. Today, the only archaeologically identified urban center attributed to this kingdom occupies an exceptional location: the summit of Mount Göllü, within the borders of Kömürcü village in Niğde
Villagers Used Stones from a Zeus Temple to Build Their Homes
In northern Anatolia, the remains of an ancient Roman sanctuary have resurfaced in a way few would expect. In the Daday district of Kastamonu, villagers once took stones from a temple dedicated to Zeus and reused them in the construction of their homes, embedding fragments of a sacred monument into everyday domestic architecture. The site
Christmas Liturgy Held at the World’s Oldest Cave Church in Antakya
A Christmas liturgy was held at Saint Pierre Church, a site widely regarded as the world’s oldest cave church and one of the most important landmarks of early Christianity. Located on the slopes near Habib-i Neccar Mountain in Antakya, the ancient sanctuary once again became a place of worship, linking present-day religious practice with the
Excavations Begin at the Late Roman Rabat Castle Built to Protect Key Trade Routes
Archaeological excavations have begun at Rabat Castle, a Late Roman–period stronghold rising 955 meters above sea level in the Derik district of Mardin. Spreading across roughly 5.5 hectares, the fortress occupies a commanding position overlooking routes that once connected Anatolia with Upper Mesopotamia. Archaeological assessments indicate that Rabat Castle was constructed during the Late Roman
Greek-Inscribed Late Antique Mosaic Unearthed in Türkiye’s Hatay Province
A Late Antique floor mosaic bearing a Greek inscription has been uncovered in southern Türkiye’s Hatay province during foundation excavation work at a site severely damaged by the February 6, 2023 earthquakes. The discovery once again highlights the extraordinary archaeological depth of Antakya, ancient Antioch, even amid large-scale post-disaster reconstruction. The mosaic was found in
Restoration Works to Expand at Zerzevan Castle, the Easternmost Garrison of the Roman Empire
Restoration efforts are set to enter a new phase at Zerzevan Castle, one of the most strategically significant military installations on the eastern frontier of the Roman Empire. While conservation work continues at the southern tower and the large basilica, plans are in place to extend restoration next year to the underground church, the Mithras