A mosaic that has been unearthed during excavations in the ancient city of Olba in the southern province of Mersin’s Silifke district has been removed in 16 different panels and placed under protection. According to a statement made by the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage and Museums, the mosaic was found by a Gazi University team headed by Professor Ayşe Emel Erten. Link

The recent excavations in the ancient city of Ephesus, located in İzmir, have revealed significant historical data, according to the statement by the head of excavations, Sabine Ladstaetter. Contrary to general belief the city was ruined during Turkish raids, the Ephesians and Turks actually lived together in the city for many years and the life in the ancient city did not end in the 7th century but continued until 14th century. Link

A Byzantine-era chapel dating back to the 10th century has been unearthed by the Nilüfer Hatun Almshouse and Extension Construction and Environmental Project in the northwestern province of Bursa’s İznik district. Link

The 300-year-old Armenian monastery of Surp Astvatsatsin (Tomarza Monastery) has completely deteriorated in the Tomarza district of Turkey’s central Anatolian Kayseri province, with merely a few ruined walls remaining. The monastery, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, is situated in Kayseri’s Cumhuriyet neighborhood. Link

The world famous historical rock tombs of Dalyan become more damaged as tourists continue to sit on them while taking photos despite warnings. With a new decision, the tombs will now be surrounded with wire fences. Link

After 2700 years the walls of Urartu Castle have been unearthed in the Ayanis neighborhood of the eastern province of Van. Excavations at the Urartu Castle site, situated 38 kilometers from Van, have been ongoing for 25 years, leading to new discoveries every day. After the discovery of the temple, this year the walls, a defining part of the castle, have been unearthed. Link

A 250-meter-long road built upon the order of a Greek emperor for his wife in the 1400s has been reopened after a series of restoration works on Imbros Island (Gökçeada in Turkish) in the Aegean province of Çanakkale. Link

A 2,200-year-old two-story trade building, which was also thought to be used for cold storage, has been found in the Sagalassos ancient city in the Ağlasun district of southern Burdur province. Link

The first residents of Imbros, known as Gökçeada in Turkish, in the Aegean province of Çanakkale migrated from Anatolia some 8,500 years ago, according to archeological research which has been carried out on the island for the past six years. Link

Restoration work will begin next year at a Genoese castle, which is on UNESCO’s Temporary World Heritage List, in the Black Sea province of Düzce, officials have said. The Culture and Tourism Ministry commenced a project to renovate and reanimate the original appearance of the ancient castle, which was built by the Genoese people 800 years ago, said Cüneyt Yemenici, the mayor of Akçakoca in Düzce. Link