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
Nearly Intact 1,500-Year-Old Mosaic Unearthed in Ancient City of Dara, Türkiye
Archaeologists working in the ancient city of Dara, located in Türkiye’s southeastern province of Mardin, have uncovered a remarkably well-preserved 1,500-year-old mosaic floor. The discovery, made in a former Roman residential area, is being hailed as one of the most significant finds in recent years. The excavation is part of the Turkish Ministry of Culture
The World’s Oldest Known House Model, Dating Back 12,000 Years, Is on Display in Türkiye
A 12,000-year-old architectural model—believed to be the oldest house model ever discovered—has been unearthed at Çayönü Hill in Diyarbakır, Türkiye, and is now on public display at the Diyarbakır Museum. The Çayönü archaeological site, located in the Ergani district of southeastern Türkiye, continues to offer groundbreaking insights into the origins of settled life. Among the
Ancient Tomb Discovered at Urfa Castle: Could It Belong to the Abgar Dynasty?
Archaeological excavations at the historic Urfa Castle in southeastern Türkiye have led to a remarkable discovery that may shed new light on the region’s ancient past. A rock-cut tomb dating back to Late Antiquity has been uncovered on Dambak Hill, just south of the iconic Balıklıgöl. Experts believe the tomb may be linked to the
Queen’s Tombs of the Kommagene Kingdom to Be Unveiled at Karakuş Tumulus in Adıyaman
The Ministry of Culture and Tourism has announced plans to excavate the queen’s tombs at the Karakuş Tumulus, located in Adıyaman, Türkiye. These tombs are believed to belong to Isas, the wife of King Antiochos I, their daughter Antiokhis, and granddaughter Aka of the ancient Kommagene Kingdom. Following detailed georadar and geophysical surveys that identified
Traces of Humanity Stretch Back 400,000 Years: Striking Discoveries in Uluköy Cave
Archaeological excavations in Uluköy Cave, located in Mardin’s Kızıltepe district in southeastern Türkiye, have revealed evidence of human presence dating back 400,000 years. From obsidian tools to animal remains, the discoveries shed new light on the deep roots of human history in Anatolia. The First and Only Cave Excavation in Northern Mesopotamia Uluköy Cave, nestled