Top 10 Archaeological Discoveries in Turkey (2025)

Top 10 Archaeological Discoveries in Turkey in 2025 🏺

The independent archaeology platform Arkeofili has released its annual list of the ten most significant archaeological discoveries made in Turkey in 2025. The findings span a breathtaking historical range, from the dawn of civilization in the Neolithic period to the maritime power of the Ottoman era.

According to Arkeofili, nearly 200 archaeological excavations were carried out across Turkey in 2025, excluding museum-based research. Hundreds of archaeologists and specialists worked in the field and laboratories, uncovering new evidence about the civilizations that inhabited Anatolia throughout different periods.

These discoveries are valuable not only from a scientific perspective, but also for understanding ancient social structures, beliefs, and everyday life.

The Top Discovery: Karahantepe's Neolithic Marvels

The top-ranked discovery was at Karahantepe in Şanlıurfa. Excavations led by Professor Necmi Karul revealed a unique T-shaped stone pillar with a three-dimensional human face, dating to the Pre-Pottery Neolithic period (c. 9400-9200 BCE). The site also produced what is considered the world’s earliest example of a three-dimensional narrative composition, likely linked to ritual practices.

Other Key Discoveries from 2025

1. New Genetic Insights at Çatalhöyük: Groundbreaking DNA analysis provided fresh understanding of social organization and family structures at this iconic Neolithic settlement.
2. Phrygian Royal Tomb in Gordion: A remarkably well-preserved tomb near Ankara, offering an unprecedented look into the burial customs of the Phrygian kingdom.
3. Urartian "Sacred City" Inscription: Inscriptions at Körzüt Fortress definitively identified it as the "Sacred City of Haldi," the chief god of the Urartian civilization.
4. 5,000-Year-Old Ritual Bread from Küllüoba Höyük: An extraordinarily preserved find that sheds light on Early Bronze Age dietary practices and ceremonial offerings.
5. The Lost Temple of Zeus in Limyra: The long-sought temple of the chief Olympian god was finally located in the ancient Lycian city.
6. Rare Gold Fibula from Troy: A stunning piece of jewelry, highlighting the wealth and craftsmanship of the legendary city.
7. Marble Statue of Hermes from Aspendos: A beautifully sculpted representation of the messenger god, discovered in the Roman-era city.
8. Expressive Neolithic Sculptures from Sayburç: A collection of powerful burial sculptures depicting human figures, adding to the narrative art of the Pre-Pottery Neolithic.
9. 17th-Century Ottoman Shipwreck off Datça: A uniquely preserved shipwreck ⚓ offering a time capsule of Ottoman maritime trade, construction, and daily life at sea.

Together, these ten discoveries highlight the exceptional depth and diversity of Turkey's archaeological heritage and the country’s ongoing, vigorous efforts to study and preserve it for future generations 🏛️.