When a Village Courtyard Hid a King: The Neo-Hittite Reliefs of Sakçagözü
In southeastern Anatolia, near the modern village of Sakçagözü, an extraordinary chapter of Neo-Hittite art once lay in plain sight—embedded not in a museum wall, but in an ordinary village courtyard. What appeared to be a utilitarian stone block was, in fact, a monumental royal relief dating to the 8th century BC, carved for a
Over 100 Olive Oil Workshops Reveal Syedra’s Role as a Late Antique Production Hub
In the steep coastal hills of southern Türkiye, the ancient city of Syedra Ancient City is revealing a side of urban life rarely seen so clearly in Late Antiquity. Archaeological excavations have identified more than 100 olive oil workshops dating to the 5th–6th centuries AD, indicating that Syedra was not merely a residential settlement but
A Long-Hidden Roman Thermal Complex Emerges at Myra After 15 Years of Delay
For more than a decade, a Roman-era structure lay trapped beneath modern industry at the edge of Myra Ancient City, its archaeological potential known but inaccessible. In 2025, that barrier finally disappeared. Excavations in Demre, southern Türkiye, have now brought to light an exceptional Roman thermal complex, revealing an architectural type previously undocumented in the
Pygela Necropolis in Kuşadası Granted First-Degree Archaeological Protection
A previously overlooked burial landscape connected to the ancient city of Pygela, near modern-day Kuşadası in western Türkiye, has now been officially designated a First-Degree Archaeological Site. The decision places the Otuzbirler Mevkii Necropolis under the highest level of legal protection, reflecting growing recognition of the area’s archaeological sensitivity and future research potential. Official designation
A Unique Artuqid-Era Ivory Archer’s Ring Discovered at Hasankeyf’s Great Palace
Archaeological excavations at Hasankeyf during the 2025 field season have yielded an exceptional discovery that sheds new light on elite culture in medieval Anatolia. In the southeastern corner of the Great Palace complex, researchers uncovered a rare ivory archer’s ring (zihgir) dating to the Artuqid period (12th–13th century)—a find described as unique both in material
8,700 Early Turkish Akıncı Graves Unearthed at Gallipoli, Illuminating Europe’s 14th-Century Frontier
Archaeological research on the Gelibolu (Gallipoli) Peninsula has revealed a discovery of exceptional historical weight: a vast cemetery belonging to the first Turkish raiders who crossed from Anatolia into Rumelia during the early 14th century. Identified near Küçükanafarta village in the Eceabat district, the burial ground documents the earliest known physical footprint of Turks in
The Kilamuwa Stele from Zincirli Höyük Reveals How a Neo-Hittite King Wrote His Own Power into Stone
At Zincirli Höyük, located in today’s Gaziantep province in southern Türkiye, archaeologists uncovered one of the most explicit royal inscriptions of the Iron Age Near East. Known as the Kilamuwa Stele, this monument was erected in the 9th century BCE by King Kilamuwa, ruler of the Neo-Hittite kingdom of Bit-Gabbari. More than a historical record,
DNA from Çayönü Tepesi Reveals How Anatolia Shaped the World’s First Farming Societies
New genetic research conducted on human remains from Çayönü Tepesi is providing fresh evidence for Anatolia’s central position in the formation of early sedentary societies. The findings suggest that Neolithic communities in southeastern Anatolia were part of a wide interaction sphere linking the Near East, the Caucasus, and inner Anatolia. Scientific Analysis of Human Remains
Late Roman Mosaic with Protective “Solomon’s Knot” Discovered at Ancient Smyrna
Archaeologists working in the center of modern İzmir have uncovered a rare Late Roman mosaic floor featuring the Solomon’s knot, a symbol long associated with protection against misfortune and the evil eye. The discovery was made during ongoing excavations at Smyrna, one of western Anatolia’s most important Greco-Roman urban centers. Found along Smyrna’s main ancient
Myra’s Monumental Roman Theatre Set for Restoration as Archaeologists Call the City “Anatolia’s Pompeii”
Archaeological excavations and conservation projects at Myra Ancient City and its ancient harbor, Andriake, on Türkiye’s Mediterranean coast have entered a decisive new phase. Officials have confirmed that restoration of Myra’s monumental Roman theatre is scheduled to begin in 2026, while a selection of exceptionally rare artifacts uncovered during recent excavations is now being displayed