Konya’s “Dümdüm Rock”: A Phrygian Tomb That Echoes Across Time
In the rural landscape of central Anatolia, a solitary rock formation near İncesu village in Seydişehir, Konya Province, carries both an archaeological legacy and a local legend. Known as “Dümdüm Rock,” the site preserves a rock-cut tomb attributed to the Phrygian period—an era that shaped much of Anatolia’s early Iron Age cultural identity. What sets
New 7.7-Million-Year-Old Fossils Unearthed in Central Anatolia: Kayseri Site Reveals Younger Species Remains
Fresh fossil discoveries in central Türkiye are offering new insight into Anatolia’s deep-time biodiversity. Excavations near the Yamula Dam locality in Kayseri have yielded 103 new fossil fragments during the 2025 field season—remains that researchers believe may belong to a younger species than those previously documented at the site. The finds come from the Çevril–Taşhan
A Kingdom in the Shadow of Assyria: The Topada Inscription and the Politics of War in 8th-Century Anatolia
In central Anatolia, near modern Nevşehir, the Topada Inscription preserves one of the most important royal inscriptions of the 8th century BCE. Commissioned by Wasusarma, king of Tabal, and carved in Hieroglyphic Luwian, the monument documents a regional war involving eight rival kings and reflects the shifting balance of power under the expanding shadow of
Seljuk-Era Bronze Amulet Discovered at Ancient Lystra in Central Türkiye
Archaeological excavations at ancient Lystra, near Konya in central Türkiye, have revealed a Seljuk-era bronze amulet, adding a new dimension to the city’s already layered history. The triangular pendant was uncovered inside what archaeologists believe to be a Seljuk-period residential structure — alongside material evidence linked to Christian communities living under Seljuk rule. The excavations
A Sealed Medieval Reliquary Cross Unearthed at Ancient Lystra in Central Anatolia
Archaeological excavations at Lystra Ancient City, located in central Anatolia, have brought to light a rare Christian artifact: a sealed bronze reliquary cross dating to between the 9th and 11th centuries. The object was discovered intact during excavations in the church area of the ancient settlement, offering valuable insight into medieval Christian belief and burial
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
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
A 3,000-Year-Old Rock-Cut Toilet in the Phrygian Valley Is Attracting Visitors’ Attention
In the heart of western Anatolia, the Phrygian Valley continues to surprise visitors not only with its monumental rock façades and ancient sanctuaries, but also with striking details from everyday life. One of the most talked-about features in recent years is a 3,000-year-old rock-cut toilet, carved into a multi-story structure in the Ayazini area of
A Palace Beneath a Palace Discovered at Kültepe, Site of Anatolia’s Earliest Written Records
Excavations at Kültepe Kaniš-Karum, one of Anatolia’s most significant archaeological sites, have revealed an unexpected new layer of the past. Archaeologists have identified the remains of a monumental palace structure lying beneath a previously known palace, suggesting that centralized authority at Kültepe developed earlier—and on a larger scale—than previously understood. The discovery comes from ongoing
Neolithic Rock Art Discovered in Central Türkiye After Hiker Spots Ancient Cliff Figures
A routine walk through the mountains of central Türkiye has led to a discovery that could reshape the prehistoric timeline of the region. A local resident exploring a remote highland area noticed faint yet distinctive human-shaped markings on a rock face and immediately reported the find to authorities. Early examinations indicate that the figures belong