Excavation in Northwestern Turkey Yields Bronze Age Artifacts

News September 16, 2024

Cylinder seal
Onsekiz Mart University
SHARE:
Cylinder seal
Cylinder seal

ÇANAKKALE, TURKEY—Hürriyet Daily News reports that an excavation conducted at the Maydos Church Hill Mound in northwestern Turkey uncovered a 3,900-year-old cylinder seal, a 3,400-year-old lead sling stone, spindle whorls, weaving tools, metal tools, and drills dated to the Middle Bronze Age, around 2000 B.C. Archaeologist Göksel Sazcı of Onsekiz Mart University said that when sling stones are found, they are usually made of stone or terracotta. “The ones made of lead are very rare and are mostly found in the Hellenistic and Roman periods,” he added. “Such finds are mostly known from the Mediterranean island of Crete, its Knossos settlement, and the nearby island of Cyprus,” Sazcı concluded. To read about 1,800-year-old clay seals uncovered in Turkey's ancient city of Doliche, go to "Seals of Approval."

  • Features September/October 2024

    Hunting for the Lost Temple of Artemis

    After a century of searching, a chance discovery led archaeologists to one of the most important sanctuaries in the ancient Greek world

    Read Article
    Courtesy Swiss School of Archaeology in Greece
  • Letter from Nigeria July/August 2024

    A West African Kingdom's Roots

    Excavations in Benin City reveal a renowned realm’s deep history

    Read Article
    (Mike Pitts)
  • Artifacts July/August 2024

    Etruscan Oil Lamp

    Read Article
    Etruscan Hanging Oil Lamp
    (Courtesy Museo dell’Accademia Etrusca e della Città di Cortona; © DeA Picture Library/Art Resource, NY)
  • Digs & Discoveries September/October 2024

    A Taíno Idol's Origin Story

    Read Article
    Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography Turin