10,500 artefacts were unearthed in Turkey last year - Get updated on what's happening in tourism!

Home to the oldest settlements on earth, the Anatolian lands draw attention with their priceless historical richness. Turkey is home to extraordinary historical artefacts from ancient civilizations, countless numbers of which have been unearthed and brought to museums. During the last two centuries, archaeological studies have been conducted in Anatolia to illuminate humanity's cultural heritage and studies are ongoing across the country today.

Turkey, a pioneer in museology activities, is also an exemplar in archaeological studies. A total of 713 archaeological activities were carried out in 2022 within the country's borders. Turkey is a standout in this field, hosting excavations across seven regions, as well as conservation studies and academic publications. Supporting a range of various activities such as excavation, archaeological survey, geophysical georadar and cleaning works, Turkey is considered among the world's most prolific countries in terms of archaeological studies.

Archaeological Studies Throughout Turkey

Within the scope of the studies realized in Turkey in 2022, a total of 249 archaeological excavations were carried out, including 160 conducted by Turkish scientific delegations, 32 by foreign scientific delegations and 57 conducted under the leadership of the Museum Directorates. Also, under the leadership of the Museum Directorates, 187 rescue excavations, 10 public investment area rescue excavations and 89 drilling excavations were carried out.

Turkey is also the focal point of maritime archaeology, with shipwrecks and works of art dating from antiquity. 7 marine excavations and 3 research studies were carried out in the country.

The total number of archaeological activities in the country reached 713 with ongoing surface surveys, geophysical georadar and cleaning work. As a result of meticulous studies, approximately 10,500 historical artefacts were brought to museums.

As of last year, the province hosting the most archaeological studies was Muğla, connecting the Aegean and the Mediterranean, with 54 activities. Muğla, spotlighting eight thousand years of history with hundreds of ancient cities and ruins, was followed by İzmir, the pearl of the Aegean, with 41 archaeological studies.

https://historicalsites.goturkiye.com/

Highlights of the Archaeology Scene in 2022

Restoration works carried out in the Western Theatre of the Ancient City of Laodicea were completed. Located within the borders of Denizli, Laodicea was one of the most important and famous cities in Anatolian geography in the first century BC. The restored Western Theatre of the Ancient City of Laodicea has resumed hosting cultural events.

https://istanbul.goturkiye.com/istanbul-archaeological-museums

Image Credit: © Go Turkey