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Archaeologist Answers Why Prehistoric Sites Associated with Noah's Ark on Mount Ararat Were Recently Discovered

 

Archaeologist elucidates why the discovery of prehistoric sites associated with Noah’s Ark occurred in the last decade.

 

Miami, FL -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/19/2013 -- "For centuries, the account of Noah’s Ark, a Biblical and Quranic account where an ancient family survived a worldwide deluge on a massive wood vessel and repopulated the globe, has fascinated explorers and religious adherents of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. In 2009, a Chinese religious organization, Noah’s Ark Ministries, Inc., with a Kurdish guide, a Turkish geologist, archaeologist, and government ministers announced the discovery of the Ark of Noah. In 2011, Dr. Joel Klenck, a Harvard University educated archaeologist and current president of the archaeological contract firm PRC, Inc., confirmed the veracity of the site and its prehistoric origin during the Late Epipaleolithic Period (13,100 to 9,600 B.C.). In this report, the archaeologist opines why the discovery of prehistoric sites on Mount Ararat only occurred during the last decade.

 

Klenck states, “The first problem is the assumption that this site is only a recent discovery. This claim is not correct. For centuries, there have been reports by a wide array of people from different periods—including the Jewish historian Josephus in the first century and Russian military officers in the nineteenth century—confirming the presence of a monumental, ancient wood structure on Mount Ararat, which they associated with the Ark.”

 

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Loom Weights Reveal Existence of Weaving Since 2,500 Years Ago

 

ÇANAKKALE - Anatolia News Agency

 

Loom weights dating back 2,500 years that were found in the ancient Assoss show the textile industry has existed in the region since ancient times

 

January 04, 2013

 

"The northwestern province of Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district is home to one of the most important areas of Turkey’s textile industry. The district is famous for kilim carpets produced in different colors and designs, but as of late 2,500-year-old loom weights recently found in the ancient city of Assoss, within the borders of the district, have brought the district even more fame.

 

Ayvacık was one of Turkey’s significant centers, especially in regards to stockbreeding, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University (ÇOMU) Archaeology Department Chairman and head of the Assos excavations, Professor Nurettin Arslan said. The region is home to many small and large cattle breeds, Arslan said. “We have claimed that the most important means of existence in Assos in ancient times was stockbreeding. This is why the leather trade was such a developed job in Assos. The fact is that the head of a cow or an ox shows us the importance of stockbreeding in the town.”"

 

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Turkey Wages 'Cultural War' in Pursuit of its Archaeological Treasures

 

Ankara accused of blackmailing museums into returning artefacts while allowing excavation sites to be destroyed

 

Constanze Letsch in Istanbul and Kate Connolly in Berlin

 

guardian.co.uk, Monday 21 January 2013 19.16 GMT

 

"Turkey has been accused of cultural chauvinism and attempting to blackmail some of the world's most important museums in the wake of its demands for the return of thousands of archaeological treasures.

 

According to cultural chiefs in Berlin, Paris and New York, Turkey has threatened to bar foreign archaeologists from excavation sites in the country by not renewing their digging permits if governments refuse to return artefacts that Ankara says were unlawfully removed from Turkish soil. It has also threatened to halt the lending of its treasures to foreign museums, they say.

 

The government in Ankara, emboldened by the country's growing diplomatic and economic clout, has repeatedly said that the retrieval of the artefacts is part of a policy it intends to pursue for years, if necessary, calling it a "cultural war". However, it denies withholding permits as a form of leverage."

 

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Gold Wreath “unburied” in Thessaloniki During Metro Construction Works

by Archaeology newsroom - Monday, 28 January 2013

"Another gold wreath (the ninth since the excavations have started) testifies to the 2,000-year-old history of Thessaloniki. It has been revealed during the subway construction works.

The new impressive find was located on Friday morning, during the last excavations being conducted at the Dimokratias station.

The gold wreath was found within a large Macedonian cist tomb, at the head of the inhumated man.

Director of the 16th Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquites (EPCA), Mrs. Vasiliki Misailidou, has confirmed the revealing of the gold wreath, but refused to give any further information regarding the quality and the exact dating of the artifact."

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Security Walls to Protect Ancient Agora in İzmir

İZMİR - Doğan News Agency

İzmir’s ancient Agora will be surrounded by three-meter-high and 810-meter-long city walls for the purpose of protection. The walls will also enable visitors to spend more time in the area. Because it is a first degree archaeological site, the excavation for the project will be at the lowest level

February 16, 2013

"The İzmir Metropolitan Municipality is preparing to surround the historical Smyrna Agora with specially designed walls. The walls will provide for the safety of the Agora and be 3 meters high and 810 meters long.

The Smyrna Agora Ancient Site Safety Wall project has been approved by the İzmir Committee for the Protection of Cultural and Natural Properties. The project will protect the historic Agora, which was integrated with the crowded İkiçeşmelik Street after confiscation and destruction works were completed.

The project was designed to reveal the historical richness of the agora and will provide sitting places for people visiting the area."

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Ancient City Troy to Have Own Museum

ÇANAKKALE - Anatolia News Agency

Archaeologists excavating the ancient city of Troy in Çanakkale say it will still take two or three more centuries for it to be unveiled in its entirety. Currently, Troy to have a museum

March 09, 2013

"Excavations at the site of the ancient city of Troy, in the northwestern province of Çanakkale, began over 150 years ago, yet experts believe two or three more centuries of work will be needed to fully discover it.

There is huge potential for further excavation at the site, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University academic Rüstem Aslan told Anatolia news agency. “For the past 15 years, everyone has been discussing the dream of a Troy museum. The construction of the museum will start soon.”

Troy has been under excavation for 150 years by five different archeologists."

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Two-Millenia-Old Aizanoi Inspiring Istanbul Bourse

KÜTAHYA - Anatolia News Agency

The proud bearer of the title of the world’s first stock exchange, the ancient city of Aizanoi in Kütahya has become a source of inspiration in the promotions for the Istanbul Stock Exchange, which recently became Borsa Istanbul

May 04, 2013

"Turkey’s newly formed Borsa Istanbul (BIST) might be experiencing a period of effervescence as it bursts onto the world financial scene, but its roots go back much further than its immediate predecessor, the Istanbul Stock Exchange (İMKB). The inspiration for the bourse goes all the way back to antiquity and the world’s “oldest stock exchange,” Aizanoi in present-day Kütahya.

Aizanoi, which is located in the inner Aegean province’s Çavdarhisar district, is now being used in the promotions for BIST, a recent amalgamation of the İMKB and the Istanbul Gold Exchange."

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Sub Categories: » HOMEPAGE / LIFE/ ARCHAEOLOGY Tuesday,June 4 2013

UNESCO Temporary List Includes Laodicea

DENİZLİ - Doğan News Agency

"The largest ancient city of Denizli, Laodicea, has been added to the World Heritage Temporary List.

The head of the excavations, Professor Celal Şimşek said the ancient site had been waiting for this moment since March. UNESCO has decided to add the site to the list. The pieces found during excavations showed that the history of weaving dated back 4,000 years in Denizli, an area identified with the textile sector in modern Turkey.

The excavations have continued for many years and Şimşek has been the head of the excavations for nine years. “Getting to the list means that they are accepting us,” he added. “There will be many new legislations and regulations,” Şimşek said."

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Perge Ready to Open for Visitors

ANTALYA - Anatolia News Agency

 

June 10, 2013

Antalya’s ancient city of Perge will open for visitors following new excavation work. The digs in the city have been continuing for the past 65 years

"The ancient city of Perge in the southern province of Antalya will finally open to visitors by the end of summer following excavations that have revealed a façade, according to a written statement made by the Culture and Tourism Ministry.

Thirty-nine workers, seven archaeologists and three restoration experts are working in Perge, which was an ancient Greek city in Anatolia and the capital of Pamphylia. Archaeological work in the ancient city has been continuing for 65 years, and many columns along the city’s streets have been successfully restored during this process."

 

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Historical Bursa Basilica Comes to Life

BURSA - Anatolia News Agency

June, 15 2013

"Bursa Governor Şahabettin Harput has announced that the excavations to unearth a 500-year-old basilica will begin this month.

Harput, who was investigating the area where the historical basilica was discovered in the Derecik Village of the Büyükorhan neighborhood, gathered information from the authorities. The basilica was used for worship in the early years of Christianity."

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Sunken Ships Seen in Ancient City of Tieion

 

June 30, 2013


ZONGULDAK - Anadolu Agency

"Two sunken ships have been seen by fishermen off the ancient city of Tieion in Çaycuma’s Filyos district in the Black Sea province of Zonguldak.

With notice that two sunken ships have been seen off the ancient city of Tieion in Çaycuma’s Filyos district in the Black Sea province of Zonguldak, officials have applied to the Culture and Tourism Ministry for diving permission and funding.

The head of the Karabük University Archaeology Department and archaeological excavations, Professor Sümer Atasoy said that they had previously known about the sunken ships in the port of the ancient city but could not have determined their place."

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Roman Times Traces on Hierapolis’ Stage

DENİZLİ - Anadolu Agency

The excavations at Hierapolis ancient theater reveal many hidden traces from Roman period. Theatre is on UNESCO’s World Heritage List

July 08, 2013

"The theatre stage in the ancient city of Hierapolis in the western province of Denizli is on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, perceived as one of the beautiful traces left today from Roman times. The excavations in the area are still revealing ancient artifacts.

The head of the excavations Raffaello D’Adria, an academic in the University of Salento in Lecce, Italy, said that the excavations in Hierapolis started in 1957 and the theatre was found in 1974. D’Adria added that he had been the director of the excavations for 13 years and the renovations that were started in the theatre were only completed last month.

“This theatre stage is very beautiful. During the renovation we enlightened a very important historical trace. With the excavations that started in 1957, we have discovered lots of artifacts,” he said, adding that they had discovered 3,000 marbles belonging to the theater building so far. “Lately, we have focused on the renovation of this area. We have supporters such as the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Governor’s Office, and the university,” he said."

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Yamaç Houses of Ephesus Reveal Mysteries of History

IZMIR - Anadolu Agency

The restorations of two Yamaç Houses of Ephesus have been completed. The wall drawings hold many clues about the ancient times of the settlement

July 10, 2013

"The restoration and protection of two Yamaç Houses and two settlement areas out of seven have been completed, said Ephesus excavation president Dr. Sabine Ladstaetter. The excavation and restoration works in Ephesus, where signs of inhabitants go back to 6000 B.C., uncovered a structure near the ancient theater as archaeological works there entered their 111th year.

The ancient city was home to numerous magnificent structures, such as those in the region called Yamaç Evler, dwellings thought to have been inhabited by wealthy families.

Ladstaetter said the Yamaç Houses of Ephesus were built in a very luxurious way, at a press conference to make the completion of the restoration. While carrying out the excavations, the team has kept and protected the wall drawings, she added."

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Alabanda Excavation Sheds Light on History

AYDIN - Anadolu Agency

July 22, 2013

"Excavation works of a 2,200-year-old “Goddess Rome Temple” have started in the Alabanda Ancient City near Turkey’s southwestern province of Aydin.

The ancient city sheds light on the history of the region, Archeology lecturer at the Adnan Menderes University, Dr. Suat Ateslier, told Anadolu Agency. Ateslier emphasized that Roman historian Titus Livius Patavinus (Livy) mentioned the Alabanda and temples in ancient articles and added that by following their works in that way, they finally identified the location of the temple."

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Fourth Pillar Revealed at Sagalassos Old City

BURDUR - Anadolu Agency

The fourth honorary pillarbelonging to the agora of Sagalassos has been discovered through the excavations. The pillar has special and unique features and dates back to the first century B.C.

July 23, 2013

"The latest excavations at the ancient city of Sagalassos, in the southwestern province of Burdur’s Ağlasun district, have uncovered the fourth “honorary pillar” of the city’s agora. “They started the 2013 excavation season two weeks ago and the hamam, city mansion, library and neighborhoods have been revealed,” said Sagalassos ancient city excavation vice president and architect Ebru Torun.

The president of the excavations, Professor Marc Waelkens, is from Belgium’s Leuven University. Waelkens’s team consists of 80 people. “There are many different people in the excavation team such as architects, archeologists, geophysicist and many more. These excavations address all kinds of sciences,” added Torun. There are scientists from Belgium, Turkish, Sri Lanka, US and Slovenia participating in excavation works."

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Huge Old Columns Found Underground in Ancient City of Laodicea

August 09, 2013

DENİZLİ - Anadolu Agency

"Excavations in the Aegean province of Denizli’s ancient city of Laodicea have revealed 1,900-year-old huge columns seven meters underground. The columns were found in the area known as the northern agora, one of the oldest faith centers in Anatolia.

The head of the excavations, Professor Celal Şimşek, said the northern agora had been discovered last year and they were continuing restoration and conservation work there. He said the area was one of the largest agoras in Anatolia."

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Ancient Ship to Set Sail Again to Egypt

August 10, 2013

ANTALYA - Anadolu Agency

"A ship that served both for trade and as a warship in the ancient city of Phaselis in the southern province of Antalya will be reconstructed by Akdeniz University’s Mediterranean Research Institute. The 600-person capacity ship, named “Phaselos,” will make its first trip to Egypt.

The ancient city of Phaselis, located in Tekirova, had its heyday between the seventh century B.C. and second century A.D. It was one of the significant ports of Lycia and Pamphylia, and used to carry different products to Egypt and the Black Sea countries. The ship also sailed during wartime."

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Oldest Gaming Tokens Found in Turkey

AUG 14, 2013 12:50 PM ET

BY ROSSELLA LORENZI

"Small carved stones unearthed in a nearly 5,000-year-old burial could represent the earliest gaming tokens ever found, according to Turkish archaeologists who are excavating early Bronze Age graves.

Found in a burial at Başur Höyük, a 820- by 492-foot mound near Siirt in southeast Turkey, the elaborate pieces consist of 49 small stones sculpted in different shapes and painted in green, red, blue, black and white.

"Some depict pigs, dogs and pyramids, others feature round and bullet shapes. We also found dice as well as three circular tokens made of white shell and topped with a black round stone," Haluk Sağlamtimur of Ege University in İzmir, Turkey, told Discovery News."

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Prophet Abraham's Lost City Found in Turkey's Kilis


KİLİS - Anadolu Agency


Archaeologists trumpet the discovery of a lost city in Kilis that contains evidence that Prophet Abraham was once one of its residents. The province’s Oylum tumulus has also yielded coins from Alexander the Great

 

August 16. 2013

 

"Once a sleepy area in one of the hottest areas in Turkey, the southeastern province of Kilis has gained prominence in recent months as it welcomes thousands of refugees from Syria’s civil war. Its appearance on the stage of history, however, is in keeping with the area’s importance in antiquity, as new archaeological excavations have revealed traces of Prophet Abraham’s stay in the vicinity, as well as a treasure from Alexander the Great.

Researchers working in the area have discovered what they are terming a “lost city,” according to the head of the excavation team, Cumhuriyet University Archaeology Department Associate Professor Atilla Engin.

“According to a papyrus document from the Iron Age, a lost city which we have found in the region is where the Prophet Abraham lived. It will make great contributions to the region and the country’s tourism. We have also found 134 silver coins in the treasure of Alexander the Great,” Engin said."

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Remains of First Religious Structure Discovered in Central Anatolia

KARAMAN - Anadolu Agency

Karaman’s ancient city of Derbe offers the remains of a religious place, according to excavation officials. If this is proven, the area may become a holy place for Christians

September 05, 2013

"A structure that is believed to have served as a possible early Christian religious place has been discovered in archaeological excavations in the ancient city of Derbe, in the Central Anatolian province of Karaman.

Karaman Governor Murat Koca, who visited the Derbe tumulus close to Ekinözü village, said a team from Selçuk University was continuing excavations with support from the Culture and Tourism Ministry.

Koca said they had information that Saint Paul had come to Karaman in the early period of Christianity and lived in Derbe. “We think the place where he lived is this tumulus. Works are continuing to prove this fact. This excavation has much importance to Karaman, because if we can find a work from the early period of Christianity, this place will be an important center for faith tourism,” he said."

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Head of Goddess Aphrodite Statue Unearthed in Turkey

By Megan Gannon, News Editor | September 20, 2013 12:42pm ET

"A group of archaeologists has discovered a life-sized marble head of Aphrodite while uncovering an ancient pool-side mosaic in southern Turkey.

Buried under soil for hundreds of years, the goddess of love and beauty has some chipping on her nose and face. Researchers think her presence could shed light on the extent of the Roman Empire's wide cultural influence at the time of its peak.

Archaeologists found the sculpture while working at a site called Antiochia ad Cragum (Antioch on the cliffs), on the Mediterranean coast. The researchers believe the region, which is dotted with hidden inlets and coves, would have been a haven for Cilician pirates — the same group who kidnapped Julius Caesar and held him for ransom around 75 B.C."

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Ancient City of Iasos Rises Out of the Ashes

MUĞLA - Doğan News Agency

Muğla’s ancient city of Iasos is effectively rising from the ashes of the Thera volcano thanks to new discoveries. Italian archaeologists, who have been working in the area for half a century, have found crucial data about the region’s history

September 30, 2013

"Archaeologists working on Iasos on Turkey’s Aegean coast have recently discovered that the ancient city was buried under a mountain of ash caused by the explosion of Mt. Thera on Santorini 3,600 years ago.

Excavation works have also revealed a sewage system that was in place in the 4,000-year-old city and tunnels to the city’s theater.

Excavations are being carried out by the world-famous Italian archaeology team of Studi Delle Tuscia University. The head of the excavations, Professor Marcello Spanu, is working with assistant archaeologists Emanuele Borgia and Şevki Bardakçı, Culture and Tourism Ministry official Selvet Karamahmut, 28 other Italian archaeologists, as well as university students who have recently unearthed new historic sites within the ancient city."

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Ancient Mosaics Found in Tarsus to Move Into Museum

MERSİN - Anadolu Agency

October 10, 2013

"The mosaics from an ancient Roman city that were revealed last year during the construction of a district bazaar in the southern district of Tarsus will soon be moved to a museum for protection, according to officials.

“During the final excavations in the historic area, we found floor mosaics with human figures. We will move these mosaics to the Tarsus Museum,” said Tarsus District Gov. Hasan Göç.

The official said the ancient city, had many earthen pots, medical tools, sculptured figures and oil lamps."

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Holy Hittite City Being Unearthed in Northern Turkey

SAMSUN - Anadolu Agency

Samsun’s Oymaağaç village in the Veziköprü district is the holy Hittite city of Nerik, according to archaeologists who have been working in the area for eight years. The head of the excavations, German archaeologist Rainer Czichon says cuneiform tablets found in the region prove this fact

October 12, 2013

"Archaeological excavations have been ongoing for eight years in the village of Oymaağaç of Vezirköprü district in the northern province of Samsun, aiming to unearth the holy Hittite city of Nerik. The head of the excavations, German archaeologist Associate Professor Rainer Czichon said that works in Oymaağaç had started in 2005 and this year’s excavations had now ended.

Czichon said that they had carried out surface survey during the first two years, and then started excavations. “Our goal is to prove that Oymaağaç is the holy city of the Hittite, which is Nerik. “We already know that this region is a Hittite settlement. We have found cuneiform tablets that will prove that this place is Nerik. There are scriptures about Nerik in four cuneiform tablets that we found this year. There is a part named ‘Tahanga’ in two of the tablets. Tahanga is a section in Nerik’s ‘god of air’ temple. This is a strong proof that Oymaağaç is Nerik. We are sure for 95 percent,” Czichon said."

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New Project Aims to Reveal Archeology Around Black Sea

DÜZCE - Anadolu Agency

With a new project from Düzce University Archaeology department academics, researchers and academics aim to reveal the ancient places and cities around the western Black Sea region

October 21, 2013

"A new project aims to reveal the ancient places and cities of the Western Black Sea region. The project, The Surface Research Project, will be held by Düzce University Archaeology department academics.

Academic Nurperi Ayengin spoke to the Anadolu Agency about the project and said the project will take six years, with the permission of Museums and Cultural Entities General Directorate.

“The project is very important to discover the settlements in the area,” Ayengin said, adding the project will start at Düzce’s Akçakoca district and Konuralp neighborhood. “It will continue from north to west,” she added."

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