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
Echoes of the Aegean: 2,200-Year-Old Theater in Ancient Assos Set for Restoration
Poised dramatically on a volcanic hillside overlooking the sapphire waters of the Aegean and the distant peaks of Lesbos, the 2,200-year-old Hellenistic theater of Assos is about to return to the spotlight. One of Anatolia’s best-preserved ancient theaters is now entering a major restoration phase that aims to reawaken its role as a cultural gathering
Ancient Two-Story Stoa Unearthed in Assos Reflects Hellenistic Royal Architecture
Archaeologists in the ancient city of Assos have begun uncovering a monumental 3,500-year-old stoa—an architectural structure once used as a covered walkway or gathering space in classical Greece. Stretching 110 meters in length and spanning two stories, the stoa is believed to represent a hallmark of Hellenistic royal design, reflecting the influence of Pergamon kings
Gökçeada: Home to the Earliest Agricultural Village in the Aegean Islands
Archaeological excavations on Türkiye’s Gökçeada (Imbros) have revealed the earliest known agricultural and livestock-based village settlement among the Aegean Islands. The Uğurlu-Zeytinlik mound, located on the island’s western coast, has been under systematic excavation for 15 years under the direction of Prof. Dr. Burçin Erdoğu from Akdeniz University, with the support of the Turkish Ministry
Uncovering the Thracian Legacy: Excavations Begin at Heraion-Teikhos in Tekirdağ
Excavations have resumed at the ancient city of Heraion-Teikhos (“City of Hera”), located in Türkiye’s northwestern province of Tekirdağ, with a new focus on the seaside section of the site. Archaeologists are aiming to uncover traces of the Thracian civilization, one of the most enigmatic cultures of the ancient Balkans and Anatolia. The excavation is
‘Star Watcher’ Figurine Found in Gedikkaya Cave Could Rewrite Human History
Archaeological excavations carried out between 2019 and 2023 in Gedikkaya Cave, located in Bilecik Province, northwest Türkiye, have uncovered groundbreaking evidence that could reshape the narrative of early human settlement. Among the remarkable discoveries is a marble figurine known as the “Star Watcher,” which is believed to date back to the Chalcolithic period (5500–3500 BCE)
Troy’s Hidden Battlefield: Could the Fabled War Be More Than Just Myth?
Excavations in northwestern Türkiye may finally bridge the gap between legend and reality, as archaeologists uncover new clues pointing to a real conflict behind the ancient tale of the Trojan War. For centuries, the story of the Trojan War has lived on in epic poetry, dramatic films, and school textbooks—a sweeping saga of love, betrayal,