A business in Istanbul has transformed a 1500-year-old historical cistern into a thermal spa center
In Istanbul, a 1,500-year-old historical cistern next to the Hagia Sophia Mosque has been transformed into a spa center called Navitas Spa Cistern by a five-star hotel. During this transformation, a pool was added inside the historical cistern, and special massage rooms were created on the lower floors, raising concerns about the integrity of the
The mystery of the 3,500-year-old ash layer at Tepecik Mound in Turkey has been solved
In 2023, significant archaeological excavations at Tepecik Mound, located in the Çine district of Aydın, Turkey, uncovered a dense layer of ash that sparked intrigue among researchers. The unique color and composition of the ash led the research team to hypothesize a potential link to a volcanic eruption. To validate their hypothesis, they sent samples
Detectorists discover 2,000-year-old Roman sword while searching for WW2 relics
Members of the INVENTUM Association, a group of metal detector enthusiasts, made an astonishing discovery in Poland’s Kraków-Częstochowa Upland: a 2,000-year-old Roman sword. The find was made by Rafal Proszowski and Mariusz Lampa while they were searching for World War II relics in the dense forests of the Polish Jura. After reporting their findings to
Ancient Structures and Artifacts Dating Back 2,300 Years Discovered in Kuwait
A Kuwaiti-Italian archaeological mission team has uncovered significant structures, including a courtyard and a building from the Hellenistic period, dating back 2,300 years in the western part of the Al-Qurainiya area on Failaka Island. This discovery was announced in a press release by the Kuwait National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL). Mohammad bin
The Museum in Braniewo Received a Donation of a Rare Medieval Seal
Poland’s long-established Braniewo Museum recently enriched its collection with the acquisition of a rare 14th-century brass church seal. This well-preserved artifact is now on display in the museum’s main exhibition hall, attracting the attention of visitors. The seal features a Gothic inscription reading “+ S(igillum) ECC(lesia)E * BRUnSBERGEnSIS” along with an image of St. Catherine
The Gender of the Buried Ascetic Monk in Chains Near Jerusalem Surprised Researchers
A recent archaeological find near Jerusalem has prompted a reevaluation of long-held beliefs regarding ascetic practices during the Byzantine period. The discovery of a woman’s remains in a grave typically associated with male ascetics raises important questions about the roles of women in the extreme religious traditions of the 5th century AD. Initially believed to
The statue of Marcus Aurelius, which was stolen years ago, is being returned to Turkey
In a remarkable development, the Marcus Aurelius statue, which was illicitly excavated in the 1960s and subsequently smuggled to the United States, is set to be returned to Turkey. Currently housed in the Cleveland Museum of Art, this bronze statue is regarded as one of the most exquisite artifacts from antiquity, notable for its depiction
2,000-Year-Old Artifacts Discovered in Swat Butkara Region of Pakistan, Including Kharosthi Inscriptions
Recent excavations at the Butkara Stupa, located near Mingora in Swat, Pakistan, have uncovered a wealth of artifacts, including 2,000-year-old coins, pottery, and inscriptions written in Kharosthi. These findings provide valuable insights into the Saka-Parthian period and the region’s rich Buddhist heritage. Dating back to the 2nd century BCE, the Butkara Stupa is one of
Medieval Egyptian-Origin Embroidered Python Skin Seized in Şanlıurfa
In 2021, an operation conducted by the Turkish Gendarmerie in Şanlıurfa resulted in the seizure of a unique embroidered python skin believed to be of medieval and Egyptian origin. During the search at the location of the antiquities smugglers, a python skin approximately 4 meters long, adorned with hand-carved figures, was discovered. Experts stated that
Golden Pendant with the Mistress of Animals Theme Excavated from the Uluburun Shipwreck
Dating back to around 1300 BC, the Uluburun shipwreck stands as one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of the 20th century. Located off the southern coast of Turkey, this wreck likely belonged to a merchant ship that carried a variety of materials from different regions of the ancient world. The excavation has revealed a