The traces of an ancient necropolis have been unearthed during the construction of a culture center in the northern province of Sinop’s Gelincik neighborhood.  The construction has been halted and excavation work has begun with the permission of the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage and Museums. Link

The theater of the ancient city of Magarsus, located in the southern province of Adana’s Karataş district, is getting ready to host culture and art events soon. Excavation work has been continuing in the ancient city for two years. Link

World renowned Turkish sculptor İlhan Koman’s 110-year-old boat, which was brought to Turkey from Sweden by his son after his death, will turn into a culture and arts center. The boat, anchored in Bodrum harbor, can still float thanks to its sails. Link

Since 2004, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has been adding cities from around the world in its Creative Cities Network (UCCN), giving the dozens of cities on the list a permanent title that denotes their excellence in fields ranging from literature to film, and from music to media arts. Sadly no Turkish city has ever been included in this network, a fact that makes it necessary for Turkey to reflect on its cultural policy. Link

April 26 is World Intellectual Property Day and Turkey's record in copyright violation is not brilliant at all despite persistent efforts by authors, publishers, other copyright holders and trade unions to curb piracy of intellectual property. Link

Salvage excavations have started in the western province of Muğla’s Bodrum district after ancient tombs were unearthed during drilling works in a construction area. The tombs are believed to have been the necropolis of Halicarnassus. Link

As armed groups in Syria and Iraq destroy priceless archaeological sites, European authorities and dealers are on high alert for smaller, looted artifacts put on sale to help finance the jihadists' war. Link

Five Ottoman edicts have found a home in Sarajevo’s Old Orthodox Church Museum, which is normally the home of some of the world’s most valuable Christian icons.The edicts date from the time when the rule of Ottoman sultans extended across southeastern Europe, from the mid-15th to the late 19th centuries. Link

Ankara has embarked on a series of restoration projects on Armenian churches in Turkey, amid criticism that the country’s remaining Armenian cultural and historical heritage not destroyed during World War I has been left to ruin. The restorations are part of the government’s bid to show that it is improving the rights of Turkey’s Armenian community. Link

The remains of a nearly 1,600-year-old basilica that was discovered at the beginning of last year under Lake İznik in the northwestern province of Bursa is now set to become an underwater museum. The underwater museum project, approved by the Culture and Tourism Ministry, will be carried out by the Bursa Metropolitan Municipality, the sponsor of the project. Link