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42 Late Roman Graves Identified Inside an Octagonal Church at Ancient Tyana
Archaeologists excavating the ancient city of Tyana in central Turkey have identified 42 Late Roman graves inside an octagonal church. Eighteen of the burials have been excavated so far, while most of the remaining graves will be examined in future seasons. The graves are concentrated in the western nave of the church at Kemerhisar, a…
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Remains of First Council of Nicaea Church Found Beneath İznik Basilica
Archaeologists excavating the lakeside basilica in İznik, northwestern Türkiye, have uncovered walls, a paved floor, and a column base belonging to an earlier church beneath the later structure. Excavation director Professor Mustafa Şahin identified the remains as part of the Church of Saint Neophytos, where the First Council of Nicaea was held in AD 325.…
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Temple Long Linked to Demeter in Türkiye Reidentified as Hecate Sanctuary After 113 Years, with Dog Burials Offering New Clues
A temple uncovered more than a century ago at the Men Sanctuary in Yalvaç, southwestern Türkiye, is now being identified by archaeologists as a sanctuary of Hecate rather than Demeter. The structure stands on Gemen Mountain in Isparta Province, at an altitude of about 1,600 meters. It was first brought to light during excavations carried…
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An Animal-Figured Seal at Büklükale May Belong to an Early Hittite Tradition
A handled stamp seal with two animal figures has been found at Büklükale, the multi-layered archaeological site near the Kızılırmak River in central Türkiye. The object was uncovered during excavations in Karakeçili district of Kırıkkale province, where a team from the Japanese Institute of Anatolian Archaeology has been working under the direction of Assoc. Prof.…
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Archaeologists Uncover a 2,000-Year-Old Athena Statue in Laodikeia’s Western Theater
For centuries, it lay hidden beneath collapsed stone and dust. Now, a 2,000-year-old marble statue of Athena has surfaced in the ancient city of Laodikeia, offering a rare glimpse into how this Anatolian city once expressed identity through art, architecture, and myth. The nearly two-meter-tall sculpture was discovered in the Western Theater, one of the…
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3,500-Year-Old Hittite Storm God Figurine Found by Chance Goes on Display for the First Time
A chance discovery in central Turkey has brought an extraordinary piece of Bronze Age craftsmanship into public view. A 3,500-year-old Hittite storm god figurine, measuring just 7.65 centimeters, is now on display for the first time—revealing a level of technical sophistication rarely seen at such a small scale. Discovered by a local resident in the…
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Sillyon Walls That Defied Alexander the Great Are Being Restored in Antalya, Turkey
Sillyon Ancient City, known for defying Alexander the Great, is once again drawing attention as its formidable defensive walls undergo restoration in southern Turkey. Rising above the plains of ancient Pamphylia, Sillyon was never an easy target. Its steep and naturally protected terrain already posed a serious challenge to any advancing army. Yet what truly…
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Forgotten 2,300-Year-Old City in Turkey Targeted by Looters as Excavations Remain Frozen
Hidden in the rugged hills of western Turkey, the ancient city of Amyzon has survived for more than two millennia behind towering stone walls. Today, however, the site faces a different danger — illegal excavations and neglect. Despite its archaeological importance, Amyzon has remained largely untouched by modern scientific excavation. The absence of a permanent…
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Savatra Ancient City Photo Wins “Photo of the Year” at 2026 Current Archaeology Awards
A striking night photograph of the ancient city of Savatra in central Anatolia has won the 2026 “Photo of the Year” award at the prestigious Current Archaeology Awards in London, drawing international attention to one of Turkey’s lesser-known archaeological sites. The award-winning image, captured by Turkish photographer Tahir Ceylan, presents the ruins of Savatra beneath…