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
Central Anatolia’s Largest Mosaic Site Officially Declared an Archaeological Area in Kayseri
A major archaeological site in central Türkiye has gained official protection status after years of excavation revealed one of the region’s most extensive mosaic complexes. The mosaic structure uncovered in Örenşehir, İncesu (Kayseri)—described as the largest of its kind in Central Anatolia—has now been formally designated as an “archaeological site” (ören yeri), marking a significant
Ancient Pergamon Acropolis Reveals How a Hilltop City Became a Powerhouse of the Ancient World
Rising sharply above the modern town of Bergama in western Türkiye, the Pergamon Acropolis still dominates the landscape—just as it did more than two millennia ago. But this was no ordinary hilltop settlement. New interpretations of its urban design and historical development are shedding light on how Pergamon transformed a steep and seemingly impractical terrain
Ancient DNA Reveals 16,000-Year-Old Dogs in Anatolia, Rewriting the Origins of Domestication
A quiet stretch of central Anatolia is now offering one of the clearest answers yet to a long-standing question: when did wolves become dogs? New genetic evidence from the Pınarbaşı site in Türkiye shows that early dogs were already living alongside humans around 16,000 years ago—far earlier than previously confirmed. The discovery places Anatolia at
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
Ancient Roman Bath in Kütahya Faces Collapse as Neglect Deepens
A rock-cut Roman bath in western Türkiye, once believed to have healing properties, is now on the brink of disappearance after years of neglect in the village of Sefaköy, Kütahya. Hidden in the rural landscape of Hisarcık district, the structure—carved directly into natural rock during the Roman period—has long been known among locals for its
Ottoman Village Square Discovered at Sillyon Ancient City in Antalya
A quiet patch of ruins in southern Türkiye has revealed an unexpected layer of history. At the ancient city of Sillyon, archaeologists have identified the remains of an Ottoman-era village square, complete with a mosque, a water source, and an open communal space—suggesting that the site remained a living settlement long after antiquity. The discovery
Renaissance Medallion of Mehmed the Conqueror to Headline Dubai Auction
A rare Renaissance portrait of Mehmed II—the Ottoman ruler who reshaped the course of world history—will soon take center stage at a high-profile auction in Dubai. Created in 1481 by the Italian artist Constanzo da Ferrara, the medallion is considered one of the most exceptional cross-cultural artworks linking Renaissance Europe with the Ottoman court. What
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
Looters Target 2,300-Year-Old Amyzon as Excavations in Ancient Carian City Remain Delayed
The ancient city of Amyzon, located in Aydın Province in western Türkiye, has become increasingly vulnerable to looting after long-planned archaeological excavations failed to begin. Dating back more than 2,300 years, the Carian city preserves impressive defensive walls and architectural remains. Yet despite its archaeological importance, Amyzon has not been the focus of a systematic