Meryem Ana Mountain in Cappadocia Reveals 93-Room Rock-Cut Complex, Ancient Sacred Site
A little-known highland site in central Türkiye is emerging as one of Cappadocia’s most intriguing historical landscapes. Recent work at Meryem Ana Mountain, a 1,603-meter peak near Ürgüp, has brought to light a large rock-cut complex and clear evidence of long-term religious use, reshaping understanding of the area’s cultural depth. Located between the villages of
Roadworks in Rize Reveal a Hidden 19th-Century Stone Bridge Buried Beneath the City
A historic stone arch bridge in Rize, long buried beneath layers of road construction, has re-emerged during ongoing urban redevelopment works. Dating back to 1826, the structure had remained hidden for decades—preserved beneath asphalt and fill—until recent excavations brought it back into view. The bridge, locally known as the “Çitanın Bridge,” was uncovered along a
This 4th-Century Mosaic in Türkiye Reveals the Legendary Wealth of Troy
Discovered in the ancient city of Daphne (Harbiye) in southern Türkiye, the 4th-century Khresis Mosaic offers more than a decorative scene. It captures a moment where myth, wealth, and power intersect—rooted in the enduring memory of Troy’s legendary riches. Today, the mosaic is displayed at the Hatay Necmi Asfuroğlu Archaeology Museum, where it stands out
147 Artifacts from 10,000-Year-Old Hasankeyf Go on Public Display for the First Time
For the first time, 147 archaeological artifacts unearthed in Hasankeyf are now on public display, offering visitors a rare, long-overdue encounter with one of Upper Mesopotamia’s deepest historical archives. Previously kept in storage, the collection has been brought into view as part of a new exhibition initiative at the Hasankeyf Museum. The display forms the
Ancient DNA Reveals 16,000-Year-Old Dogs in Anatolia, Rewriting the Origins of Domestication
A quiet stretch of central Anatolia is now offering one of the clearest answers yet to a long-standing question: when did wolves become dogs? New genetic evidence from the Pınarbaşı site in Türkiye shows that early dogs were already living alongside humans around 16,000 years ago—far earlier than previously confirmed. The discovery places Anatolia at
New 7.7-Million-Year-Old Fossils Unearthed in Central Anatolia: Kayseri Site Reveals Younger Species Remains
Fresh fossil discoveries in central Türkiye are offering new insight into Anatolia’s deep-time biodiversity. Excavations near the Yamula Dam locality in Kayseri have yielded 103 new fossil fragments during the 2025 field season—remains that researchers believe may belong to a younger species than those previously documented at the site. The finds come from the Çevril–Taşhan
Fishing Net Snags Possible Ancient Jar as Water Levels Drop in Lake İznik
A routine morning on Lake İznik turned unexpectedly archaeological this week, when a fisherman’s net surfaced not with carp or perch—but with what appears to be a historic clay jar. The incident occurred along the shores of Göllüce, a neighborhood on the western edge of the lake in Bursa, northwestern Türkiye. As drought conditions continue
Greek-Inscribed Late Antique Mosaic Unearthed in Türkiye’s Hatay Province
A Late Antique floor mosaic bearing a Greek inscription has been uncovered in southern Türkiye’s Hatay province during foundation excavation work at a site severely damaged by the February 6, 2023 earthquakes. The discovery once again highlights the extraordinary archaeological depth of Antakya, ancient Antioch, even amid large-scale post-disaster reconstruction. The mosaic was found in
Restoration of the Temple of Zeus Lepsynos at Euromos Enters Its Final Phase
On a quiet hillside near Milas in southwestern Türkiye, one of Anatolia’s best-preserved Roman temples is undergoing a transformation that will reshape how the ancient city of Euromos is experienced. Restoration work at the Temple of Zeus Lepsynos, led by the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism, is now advancing toward completion, with the project
Neolithic Rock Art Discovered in Central Türkiye After Hiker Spots Ancient Cliff Figures
A routine walk through the mountains of central Türkiye has led to a discovery that could reshape the prehistoric timeline of the region. A local resident exploring a remote highland area noticed faint yet distinctive human-shaped markings on a rock face and immediately reported the find to authorities. Early examinations indicate that the figures belong