Ankara: Archaeological excavations across Trkiye in 2025 yielded some of the most remarkable discoveries of recent years, spanning humanity's earliest symbolic expressions to major finds from the Classical, Roman, Byzantine, and medieval periods. From prehistoric ritual centers in southeastern Anatolia to ancient cities along the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts, the year's discoveries shed new light on early belief systems, social organization, migration routes, and urban life across millennia.
According to Anadolu Agency, January saw the unearthing of intricate mosaics at the ancient city of Herakleia in Milas. These mosaics, depicting various creatures, were found at the base of a Roman bath in Mugla province. In Canakkale, the ancient city of Assos revealed a 2,200-year-old mosaic and a monumental tomb, while in Izmir, nearly 2,000 bronze statue fragments were discovered in Metropolis.
February's significant finds included five sculptures from different periods at Perge in Antalya, with a notable statue of Aphrodite. At Pergamon in Izmir, a Mosaic House complex was uncovered, showcasing mosaic floors dating to the 2nd and 3rd centuries.
In March, a marble statue of Hermes and fragments of other deities were discovered in Aspendos, Antalya. April brought the discovery of Roman-period cremation urns near Tralleis in Aydin and a sealed amphora from an Abbasid-era shipwreck off Antalya's coast.
May continued the trend with a well-preserved mosaic and cistern uncovered at Syedra near Alanya, and Anatolia's oldest stone human figurines were found at Kizilin in Antalya. June marked the unearthing of Turkish-era arrowheads in Mugla, a Phrygian burial chamber in Ankara, and a potentially oldest church in Duzce province.
In July, rare Paleolithic artifacts were found at Ulukoy Cave in Mardin, while excavations at Troy linked new evidence to the Trojan War. August saw the discovery of a fresco of Jesus near Iznik and an assembly building in Laodicea. September's finds included a statue of the ancient Egyptian god Pataikos in Perre and a significant human statue at Gobeklitepe.
October was notable for the discovery of a T-shaped pillar with a carved human face at Karahantepe and a Roman-era settlement in Adiyaman. November's highlights included a temple of Zeus in Limyra and a residential area from the Roman era in Perre. December concluded with the uncovering of a 4th-century reception hall in Hadrianopolis and a marble sculpture head in Metropolis.
These discoveries not only enhance Trkiye's historical narrative but also offer a broader understanding of the cultural and historical exchanges across the region throughout different periods.