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2,000-Year-Old Theatre Street Unearthed at Aspendos with Shops, Bakery and Ancient Sewer
Archaeologists at Aspendos in southern Turkey have uncovered nearly 300 metres of a 2,000-year-old street lined with shops, houses, public buildings and a well-preserved bread oven. Known as the Theatre Street, the road once connected Aspendos’s famous Roman theatre with the acropolis above. It was one of the ancient city’s main internal routes, carrying residents…
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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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One of the Largest Ancient Synagogues Discovered at Sardis Reveals Jewish Life in Roman Anatolia
A vast synagogue unearthed in the ancient city of Sardis is offering one of the clearest and most striking insights into Jewish life in the Roman world. Built into a monumental public complex and covered with nearly 1,400 square meters of mosaics, the structure stands among the largest known synagogues of antiquity—and one of the…
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TV Prop Registered as Ottoman Artifact: Museum Case Sparks Debate in Turkey
A television prop initially identified as an Ottoman-era menzil stone has sparked debate in Turkey after it was officially registered as a cultural asset and transferred to a museum—before later being revealed as a modern production piece. According to a report published in Cumhuriyet, the object was created in 2019 for the TRT 1 children’s…
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Illegal Excavation in Turkey Uncovers Ancient 2,000-Year-Old Roman Mosaic
In a rural area of Turkey, four individuals were caught conducting an illegal excavation that led to the discovery of a remarkable 2,000-year-old Roman mosaic. The operation, carried out by local law enforcement, resulted in the seizure of the historical artifact and the arrest of the suspects. This incident highlights the ongoing issue of illicit…
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Those Attempting to Sell a Medieval Mummy in Turkey Were Caught
The Niğde Provincial Gendarmerie Command teams apprehended six individuals red-handed who were trying to sell a human mummy believed to be from the Middle Ages. During a successful operation in the Bor district, the mummy seized at the residence of a person named H.G. was found to be in a preserved state of bodily integrity.…
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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…
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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…
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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…