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,
Hagia Sophia in Crisis: “A 1,500-Year-Old Legacy on the Brink of Collapse”
Experts Sound the Alarm: “This is no longer a mosque or museum—it’s an emergency site” Built by the order of Byzantine Emperor Justinian I in 537 AD, Hagia Sophia has stood at the heart of Istanbul for nearly 1,500 years. Originally constructed as a cathedral, later converted into a mosque, then a museum, and once
Archaeologists Discover Tombs at the Underwater Basilica in İznik
The historic town of İznik, located in Türkiye’s Bursa province, is once again in the spotlight due to an extraordinary archaeological discovery beneath the waters of Lake İznik. Archaeologists have unearthed ancient Christian tombs surrounding the submerged basilica, shedding new light on the area’s religious and cultural significance. Unearthing the Past Beneath the Lake First
Rare Cybele Statue on Display at Tekirdağ Archaeology Museum Sheds Light on Ancient Anatolian Mother Goddess Cult
The Tekirdağ Archaeology and Ethnography Museum attracts thousands of visitors each year, with one of its star exhibits being a remarkable statue of Cybele, the ancient Anatolian mother goddess symbolizing fertility, nature, and protection. This statue, uncovered during excavations at the nearby Heraion-Teikhos Ancient City, offers a rare glimpse into the spiritual life of ancient
Ancient Treasures of Ainos Unearthed in Northwestern Türkiye: Now on Display in Edirne Museum
The Edirne Archaeology and Ethnography Museum, located in the historic region of Thrace in northwestern Türkiye, invites visitors on a fascinating journey through time with its remarkable collection of artifacts unearthed from the ancient city of Ainos (modern-day Enez). One of Thrace’s Oldest Museums, Rich in Heritage According to Kemal Soytürk, Director of Edirne’s Provincial