Monday, 14 April 2025

Category: Anatolian Archaeology

Restoration of Laodicea's 2200-year-old Theatre Completed

Restoration of Laodicea’s 2200-year-old Theatre Completed

The 2,200-year-old theater of the ancient city of Laodicea, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage Temporary List in Denizli, has been revitalized through a comprehensive restoration project. Built in the 2nd century BC and actively used during the Roman period, the 15,000-seat theater had suffered damage over the centuries due to earthquakes. The restoration

2300-year-old rock tomb on display inside a supermarket in Turkey

2300-year-old rock tomb on display inside a supermarket in Turkey

In Bodrum, a major tourist center in Turkey, a 2300-year-old rock tomb lies hidden among shopping shelves. Dating back to the 3rd century BC, the rock tomb’s display inside a supermarket both creates astonishment and fuels controversy. This extraordinary situation, nicknamed the “Museum Market,” once again brings the sensitivity of protecting historical heritage to the

1800-Year-Old Scandalous Love in Ancient Troas: Tombstone Reveals Murder

1800-Year-Old Scandalous Love in Ancient Troas: Tombstone Reveals Murder

Another tale has been added to the legendary love stories of Anatolia. An 1800-year-old tombstone, discovered in the ancient city of Alexandria Troas in the Ezine district of Çanakkale, sheds light on a scandalous love affair and murder from the Ancient Roman period. This tombstone adds a dark chapter to Anatolia’s romantic history, which ranges

The Mosaic House in the ancient city of Pergamon is being uncovered

The Mosaic House in the ancient city of Pergamon is being uncovered

Located in Izmir, Turkey, the “Mosaic House” complex from the Roman period in the ancient city of Pergamon is being uncovered through excavation work conducted under the “Heritage for the Future Project” by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Led by Prof. Dr. Yusuf Sezgin, the head of the Archaeology Department at Manisa Celal Bayar

Byzantine Bridge: Strong Against Earthquakes, Vulnerable to Looters

Byzantine Bridge: Strong Against Earthquakes, Vulnerable to Looters

A historic, single-arched bridge, believed to date back to the Byzantine era, located in Erbaa district of Tokat, northeastern Turkey, has withstood the test of time and earthquakes, but has fallen victim to treasure hunters. The Yer Köprü, still in use by the local community, is renowned for its resilience. However, the relentless pursuit of

Japanese archaeologists have discovered evidence in a 4,200-year-old Bronze Age stratum that could change the history of ironworking

Japanese archaeologists have discovered evidence in a 4,200-year-old Bronze Age stratum that could change the history of ironworking

Japanese archaeologists have uncovered significant evidence that could change the history of ironworking in a 4,200-year-old Bronze Age layer at the Kaman Kalehöyük excavation site in Central Anatolia. Kaman Kalehöyük is located 3 km east-northeast of Kaman District, northwest of the Kırşehir city center, and has revealed four distinct cultural layers from the Ottoman Period,

Eşrefoğlu Mosque is one of the rare monuments that has preserved its originality for 700 years

Eşrefoğlu Mosque is one of the rare monuments that has preserved its originality for 700 years

Beyşehir Eşrefoğlu Mosque is a stunning representation of Anatolian Seljuk architecture and stands out as one of the few structures in the region that has preserved its original form. This historical gem draws the attention of both local residents and international travelers alike. Dating back to the 14th century, the mosque showcases remarkable wooden craftsmanship

In 2023, significant archaeological excavations at Tepecik Mound, located in the Çine district of Aydın, Türkiye, 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 to the Atomic Institute of Vienna University of Technology for detailed analysis. The findings from Vienna University of Technology provided an unexpected revelation: the ash discovered at Tepecik Mound originated from the catastrophic volcanic eruption on Santorini Island approximately 3,500 years ago. This discovery was led by Prof. Dr. Sevinç Günel from the Department of Archaeology at Hacettepe University, who has been overseeing the excavations at this historically rich site, which spans around 7,500 years and includes artifacts from the Neolithic period to the Late Bronze Age. A scientific paper published in the international archaeology journal Anatolica last December detailed the similarities between the ash from Tepecik Mound and volcanic materials from Santorini. Prof. Dr. Günel emphasized that the impact of the Santorini eruption, which occurred around 1500 BCE, was felt across a vast area, from Western Anatolia to the Eastern Mediterranean. Günel clarified that the ash found during the excavations was not a result of local fires. Instead, it contained crystal-like glass fragments, indicative of its volcanic origin, and formed a substantial layer at the site. “The analysis of these ashes was conducted at the Atomic Institute of Vienna University of Technology, and the results showed elements similar to those found in Santorini ash. We selected this laboratory due to their extensive research and databases related to the Santorini volcano, which allowed us to obtain conclusive results,” she explained. In the areas where structural remains were uncovered, the ash layer covered pottery associated with ancient architecture and even revealed the remains of an adult individual. The confirmation of Santorini ash underscores the devastation caused by the volcanic eruption and the subsequent earthquakes that occurred 3,500 years ago. This remarkable discovery at Tepecik Mound not only deepens our understanding of ancient volcanic activity but also illuminates the historical connections between regions impacted by such natural disasters. Further updates on this captivating archaeological find are eagerly anticipated.

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

Golden Pendant with the Mistress of Animals Theme Excavated from the Uluburun Shipwreck

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

Five Different Roman Statues Discovered in the Ancient City of Perge

Five Different Roman Statues Discovered in the Ancient City of Perge

Excavations in the ancient city of Perge, known as the capital of the Pamphylia region, have uncovered five different Roman statues. With a history that dates back to the 2nd millennium BC, Perge was referred to as “Parha” during the Hittite period. This ancient city showcases the influences of various cultures, including the Persians, Greeks,

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