7,600-year-old child skeleton and a silver ring found in Türkiye’s Domuztepe Mound

A child skeleton and a silver ring presumed to be used for babies dating back to 7,600 years ago were found during excavations at Domuztepe Mound (Domuztepe Höyük) in the Türkoğlu district of southern Türkiye’s Kahramanmaraş province.

Domuztepe is an approximately 20-hectare archaeological site that was inhabited as early as 6,400 BC and abandoned by 5,450 BC. In 2021, an earlier settlement was discovered on the mound.

The fifth millennium is a key period in the development of complex societies in the Near East.

Domuztepe is one of the largest sites known from this period and is located in southeast Türkiye, on the northwest edge of the Halaf’s traditional heartlands.

The archaeological digs at the site have been continuing under the leadership of associate professor Halil Tekin of Hacettepe University’s Faculty of Letters and Archaeology Department in coordination with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

During the excavations carried out in the mound this year, a child skeleton was found in the layer dated to 7,600 years ago.

The exact age of the skeleton will be determined after DNA studies and carbon 14 tests. In the same context, a silver ring was found, thought to have been used for babies.

Head of Excavation Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tekin reminded AA correspondent that two human skeletons, one a baby and the other 6-7 years old, were found about 10 days ago during the works carried out in the same area.

Explaining that 7,600 years ago, a new child skeleton was found in the layer, Tekin said that these children’s graves around the keyhole-shaped structure, which is considered as ‘Tholos’ in archaeology, made them hopeful:

‘Actually, we were expecting this grave because we found the remains of a hearth on the east side. It is already a rule in archaeology.

From the Stone Age to the late periods, if you find a hearth, the expectation of a baby or child grave inside or outside the house increases. While we were already in this expectation, we came across the grave.’

Stating that the newly found child skeleton and the silver baby ring were dated to 7,600 years ago, Tekin pointed out that the expectations increase as the studies continue and stated that a surprise can always be encountered under the soil.

This year’s excavations at Domuztepe Mound came to an end. 

Millefiori Glass Plateques From the 5th Century AD Discovered in the Ancient Lycian City of Myra

One of the six leading cities of ancient Lycia and the birthplace of Santa Claus (or Sinterklaas in Dutch), the ancient city of Myra and its port, Andriake, yielded very remarkable findings:  millefiori (“A Thousand Flowers”) glass plaques.

The Ancient City of Myra is approximately 1.5 km from the town center of Demre, located on the Kaş-Finike road, in Antalya. Strabon writes that Myra is one of the 6 major cities, each with 3 voting rights in the Lycian League.

The city was a rich and crowded metropolis, thanks to its port Andriake, which was an important point on the Mediterranean trade routes, and the fertile lands around it.

It was the principal mint of the region and also led a sympolitea formed with Tyberissos and Teimiusa in the late Hellenistic period. Myra preserved its metropolis status until the Byzantine period.

It was the most important political center of Lycia since the beginning of Christianity. St. Paul visited Myra and Patara in the 1st century BCE during his missionary journey.

However, the city owes its real fame to St. Nicholas, who was born in Patara but founded his church in Myra in the 4th century CE to spread Christianity.

Excavations at Andriake recently uncovered a large number of decorative glass plaques created using the millefiori technique, a complex glassmaking process that involves fusing multiple glass rods of different colors to create intricate patterns that often resemble flowers or geometric shapes.

Considered by experts to be one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of the year in Turkey, millefiori have been found in other parts of the world, but this is the first time they have been found in such abundance and variety in the country.

The discovery was made in the agora area of Andriake, specifically in the customs zone of the port. In the space identified as “Structure 42”, archaeologists found hundreds of pieces of millefiori plaques.

It appears from this discovery that the elite community in Andriake in the fifth century AD possessed highly sophisticated ornamental arts, which were not only visually stunning but also symbolic of authority and rank.

In addition to being ornamental, the millefiori plaques found at Andriake are evidence of the sophistication and luxury of interior design during that era.

In addition to the millefiori glass plaques, other decorative elements were discovered in the same context. 

Among the findings are small glass rosettes with square and round forms, along with glass frames that go with the plaques, all of which point to a well-thought-out decorative scheme.

The discovery at Andriake, the harbor settlement of the ancient city of Myra, shows the presence of a very special and rich interior decoration at Andriake, with examples of bird figures in inlaid technique among the similarly sized plates that were found to have been used in wall decoration, and figures of saints, birds, and camels in opus sectile technique, which is also a unique discovery for Türkiye.

Located at the junction of the Granarium and Agora in Andriake, at the head corner of western Agora Street, in the most important place of the harbor, the building is thought to be an administrative building with its precious decorations and plan features.

3 Bronze Shields and Helmet of 2700 Years Old Belonging to Urartians Found in Ayanis Castle

Three bronze shields and a bronze helmet dedicated to Haldi, the chief god of the Urartians, were discovered during excavations at the Ayanis Castle in Van province in eastern Türkiye.

The discovery was announced on the social media account of Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, Minister of Culture and Tourism.

Ayanis Castle was built on a rocky hill close to Ağartı village whose old name was “Ayanis” and situated on the east bank of Lake Van, 38 km east of the capital Tuşpa.

Ayanis Castle, where the temple of Haldi, one of the most intact Urartian temples, is located, was built by the last great King of Urartu, Rusa II, in the mid-7th century BC. Written evidence shows that the fortress was destroyed by a major earthquake and associated fires 20 to 25 years after its construction.

 In the Ayanis Castle, known to be the last castle of the Urartu Kingdom, the archeological excavations are ongoing since 1989.

The excavations were conducted under the presidency of Prof. Dr. Altan Çilingiroğlu within the scope of Ege University “Van Project” until 2012. The studies are rendered by Prof. Dr. Mehmet Işıklı, associate in the Archeology Department, Literature Faculty, Atatürk University since 2013.

For the last few seasons, the excavation team has been trying to uncover the structures associated with the Haldi Temple in the citadel. In the 2024 excavation season, three bronze shields and a bronze helmet dedicated to Haldi, the chief god of the Urartians, were unearthed.

The artifacts found during the excavations in the monumental temple complex dedicated to the god Haldi reflect the richness of Urartian metalwork.

Prof. Dr. Mehmet Işıklı said in his statement, ‘In this year’s excavations, we unearthed 3 bronze shields and 1 helmet, which were found in very good condition.

The shields and helmet are dedicated to Haldi, the chief god and god of war. As you know, Ayanis Castle suffered a great earthquake. Because of this earthquake, there is a big collapse caused by the mudbrick walls.

Many artifacts are deformed because of this. but the artefacts found are in very good condition because they were found on the floor of the room at a depth of about 6-7 meters. Of course, we have some minor fractures and we will complete these with restoration and conservation.’

“There is also a bronze helmet among the artifacts found. We guess that it is a decorated and ceremonial helmet. Because we can see some decorations now, of course, it will be possible to see these ornaments and decorations more clearly after a comprehensive restoration and conservation,” he added.

Professor Işıklı stated that there is strong evidence that the site was used by a royal and religious elite group.

After 36 years of excavations, the Ayanis fortress has yielded a rich collection of bronze artifacts, especially bronze weapons. To date, more than 30 bronze shields have been unearthed during the excavations of the castle.