In the 1700th Anniversary of Christianity’s Recognition as an Official Religion, the Basilica Beneath Lake İznik (Nicaea) Opens to Visitors
On the 1700th anniversary of Christianity’s recognition as an official religion, an early Christian basilica submerged beneath Lake İznik (ancient Nicaea, northwestern Türkiye) has officially opened to visitors.Discovered in 2014 through aerial photography and later named one of the Top 10 Archaeological Discoveries of the Year by the Archaeological Institute of America, the site now
Bathonea Excavations Reveal Olive Oil and Wine Workshop near Küçükçekmece Lake
Archaeologists working at the ancient harbor city of Bathonea, located on the shores of Lake Küçükçekmece in Istanbul’s Avcılar district, have uncovered an olive oil and wine production complex dating to the Late Antiquity. The discovery was made within the framework of the “Heritage for the Future Project” (Geleceğe Miras Projesi), jointly carried out by
Marble-Paved Roads and Ancient Sewers Unearthed at the Roman Theater of Nicaea — Site of the First Christian Council
Archaeologists have uncovered marble-paved roads and a remarkably well-preserved sewage system at the western sector of the 2,000-year-old Roman Theater of Nicaea (modern-day İznik, Turkey) — the ancient city that hosted the First Council of Nicaea in AD 325, a defining event in early Christian history. The excavations are conducted under the İznik Museum Directorate
Legendary City of Troy Yields 4,500-Year-Old Golden Brooch and Jade Stone
The ancient city of Troy in Çanakkale, Türkiye — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — has once again captured global attention with a groundbreaking discovery. According to an announcement by Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, excavations at the site have uncovered a golden ring-shaped brooch and a rare jade stone, both dating
Byzantium’s Forgotten Defense Line: The 1,500-Year-Old Anastasian Wall
Few visitors exploring Istanbul’s historic treasures know that 65 kilometers west of the city, hidden among forests and fields, lies one of Byzantium’s most ambitious but forgotten fortifications: the Anastasian Wall, also known as the Long Walls of Thrace. Built in the early 6th century under Emperor Anastasios I, this massive line of defense once
8,800-Year-Old Farming Houses Unearthed on Gökçeada: A First for the Aegean Islands
Archaeologists on Türkiye’s westernmost island, Gökçeada (ancient Imbros), have uncovered a discovery that rewrites Aegean prehistory: the earliest farming architecture ever found on any of the Aegean Islands. Excavations at the Uğurlu-Zeytinlik Mound revealed five domestic structures dating back 8,800 years, placing the site alongside Crete’s Knossos as the only known Neolithic settlements of the
Baptistery Discovered in Antandros: From Roman Villa to Christian Rituals
A significant archaeological discovery has been made in the ancient city of Antandros, located in Türkiye’s Balıkesir province near the slopes of Mount Ida (Kazdağları). Excavations revealed that a structure originally built as part of a Roman villa was later converted into a baptistery following Christianity’s recognition as the official religion of the Roman Empire
Women Lead the Way in Excavations at Heraion-Teikhos, the “City of Hera” in Thrace
In Tekirdağ, northwestern Türkiye, archaeological excavations at Heraion-Teikhos—one of the most significant settlements of the Thracian civilization—are highlighting the vital role of women. Supported by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism under the “Heritage for the Future Project,” the dig is bringing ancient history to light with the help of local women workers. Located in
Mosaic Clues Suggest Roman General’s Residence in Ancient İznik
A stunning new archaeological discovery in the ancient city of İznik (ancient Nicaea), Türkiye, has revealed Roman-era graves and vibrant mosaics — possibly part of a noble residence once belonging to a Roman general. Archaeologists from the İznik Museum Directorate uncovered three new burial plots and a basilica floor decorated with colorful mosaics in the
