From Central Asia to the Balkans: Ram and Sheep-Shaped Tombstones Go on Display in Diyarbakır for the First Time
The Diyarbakır Museum has unveiled ram and sheep-shaped tombstones that had remained in storage for 91 years. These sculpted stones, carved from basalt and limestone, were not only markers of the dead but also symbols of identity, gender, and social status in medieval Anatolia. Founded in 1934, the Diyarbakır Museum is one of Türkiye’s oldest
Archaeologists Uncover Early Neolithic Structures at Mendik Tepe, Potentially Older Than Göbekli Tepe
Excavations at Mendik Tepe, a prehistoric site in southeastern Türkiye, are advancing rapidly and may reveal evidence older than Göbekli Tepe, the UNESCO World Heritage site widely regarded as the “zero point of history.” Professor Douglas Baird of the University of Liverpool’s Department of Archaeology, who leads the excavation, reported that structures of different sizes
Ancient Bread Mold Unearthed in Harran Reveals 800-Year-Old Culinary Traditions
Long celebrated as a cradle of science and philosophy, Harran has now offered a rare glimpse into its everyday life. Archaeologists working in the ancient city in southeastern Türkiye have uncovered an 800-year-old bread mold decorated with distinctive diamond-shaped patterns. The baked-clay artifact, measuring about 40 centimeters in diameter, was discovered during excavations near the
1,600-Year-Old Saint George Church in Diyarbakır Reopens as Art Gallery After Earthquake Restoration
In Diyarbakır’s historic İçkale district, the 1,600-year-old Saint George Church has risen again after suffering severe damage in the devastating earthquakes of February 6, 2023. Originally built in the 4th century CE by the Romans as an administrative church, the structure will reopen on August 10 as an art gallery. The restoration, led by the
Cross-Carved Ancient Rock-Cut Tomb Officially Registered in Suruç, Türkiye
A recently identified rock-cut tomb in the Köseveli neighborhood of Suruç, Şanlıurfa, has been officially recorded as part of the province’s cultural heritage inventory. The registration was carried out under an ongoing documentation project aimed at cataloging all historical landmarks in the region. Şanlıurfa Governor Hasan Şıldak announced the discovery on social media, emphasizing that
Star of David with a Cross Found in Roman-Byzantine Mosaic in Türkiye: Rare Symbolism Unearthed in Unexpected Discovery
The 35-square-meter mosaic also contains a six-line petition written in Ancient Greek In an extraordinary discovery in southeastern Türkiye, a Roman–Byzantine-era mosaic featuring a Star of David with a Christian cross embedded inside has been unearthed during a burial excavation in Ergani, Diyarbakır. The 35-square-meter mosaic floor, which also includes a six-line inscription in Ancient
1,800-Year-Old Roman Water Distribution System Unearthed at Zerzevan Castle in Türkiye
Archaeologists have uncovered an intricate Roman-era water distribution system at Zerzevan Castle, a 3,000-year-old fortified site located in southeastern Türkiye’s Diyarbakır province. The discovery sheds new light on the region’s advanced hydraulic engineering during the height of the Roman Empire. Strategic Outpost with Sacred Secrets Perched atop a 124-meter-high rocky ridge overlooking the ancient Mesopotamian
12,000-Year-Old Çayönü Tepesi Reveals Neolithic Grid Structures and a Bronze Age Water Channel
New archaeological discoveries from Çayönü Tepesi, one of the most significant Neolithic sites in Southeastern Türkiye, have brought fresh insights into early settled life. Excavations in the eastern section of the site have unearthed four grid-planned buildings dating to the Neolithic period (10,200–6,500 BCE) and a water channel from the Early Bronze Age (3100–1100 BCE).
2025 Excavations Begin at Oylum Höyük, a Major Administrative Center of the Hittite Period
Archaeologists have launched the 2025 excavation season at Oylum Höyük, one of the largest archaeological mounds in southeastern Türkiye, located near the Syrian border in Kilis. The site, known for its strategic importance during the Hittite Empire, is yielding new clues about political and administrative structures in the Late Bronze Age. The excavation is being
Nano Lime Technology Strengthens Giant Statues on Mount Nemrut
The monumental statues atop Mount Nemrut, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are undergoing advanced conservation efforts using nano lime technology. Initiated in 2022, the restoration work has yielded promising results, leading to the expansion of the project in 2025. Located at an altitude of 2,206 meters, Mount Nemrut hosts colossal stone sculptures that have endured