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Written by Leman Altuntaş
For decades, the towering stone pillars of southeastern Türkiye have been read through a familiar lens: power, dominance, fertility cults, and the early emergence of male authority. The monumental sites of the Taş Tepeler region—especially Göbeklitepe—have often been interpreted as visual declarations of masculinity carved in stone. But what if that assumption says more about
At the ancient city of Assos, founded in the 6th century BC on the coast of the Aegean Sea within the historical region of Troas, ongoing excavations have led to the discovery of the largest Roman griffin weight ever found. Assos Ancient City is located in Behram Village in Ayvacık District of Çanakkale in western
In the Çorakyerler Vertebrate Fossil Site, also known as Turkey’s “Jurassic Park”, approximately 9 million years old fossils belonging to 4 species have been brought to the scientific world. The Çorakyerler Vertebrate Fossil Locality is situated on the Yapraklı road in Çankırı Province, approximately 4-5 km away from the city center, within the Fatih neighborhood.
In Oluz Mound where evidence of the belief in Zoroastrianism, the earliest example of monotheistic belief in the Ancient Near East, has been found, the largest collection of Iron Age painted and decorated pottery in Anatolia has been reached. Oluz Mound was discovered by Prof. Dr. Şevket Dönmez from Istanbul University between 1997 and 1999.
One of the rare theaters carved into the main rock and the pathway leading to the inner part of Fethiye Castle were uncovered during the excavation in Muğla. Fethiye Castle was built on the ruins of Lycian city of Telmessos, a significant ancient port city, with the purpose of providing protection against potential attacks from
The 2000-year-old honorific inscription found in the ancient city of Metropolis, known as the ‘City of the Mother Goddess’ in Izmir, has been deciphered. The ancient city of Metropolis, spanning from the Hellenistic period to the Roman period, takes its name from the ancient Greek mythological term “Metropolis,” which signifies “mother goddess.” Metropolis began to
In Nerik, an important religious city of the Hittite Empire, remains from the Iron Age are being searched for. Nerik is located at the Oymaağaç Mound, situated 7 kilometers northwest of the Vezirköprü district in Samsun province of present-day Turkey. Established by the Hattians, one of the oldest civilizations of Anatolia, around 3500 years ago,
In the ongoing archaeological excavations at Çayönü Höyük in the Ergani district of Diyarbakır, pot-type graves containing the remains of children and infants aged 6 and under have been found. Çayönü Höyük is considered one of the areas where agriculture was first practiced, dating back to the Neolithic period. The first settlement is thought to
Archaeologists have discovered one of the oldest water channels dating back to 8,200 years ago at Yeşilova Mound, located in the western Turkish province of İzmir. During the excavations, it was revealed that the earliest inhabitants of Yeşilova Mound directed the stream by hand and brought water to their homes. Speaking to the local media,
The 2,000-year-old golden crown of a Roman governor, which was unearthed during archaeological excavations in the historical city of Iznik, which was the capital city during the Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman periods, is on display at the Iznik Museum. The gold crown, inspired by olive leaves, weighs around 20 grams. The İznik Museum, where
According to legend, the altar section of the Temple of Zeus, which is currently undergoing restoration efforts in the ancient city of Magnesia, established by the Magnets who came from Thessaly based on Apollo’s prophecy and guidance, has been uncovered. The excavations in the ancient city of Magnesia, located in the Germencik district of Aydın,
