The Chalcedon excavations in Kadıköy, Istanbul, have revealed the sacred site of St. Bassa Church, one of the excavation’s most significant discoveries. Although recent reports have released photographs and information about the church, its historical significance remains largely unknown. Who was St. Bassa? Why was a church dedicated to her established here? And what can the archaeological discoveries tell us about this important Christian site in ancient Chalcedon?
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New Evidence for St. John’s Church at Antalya’s Yivli Minare?
For centuries, the remains of a former Byzantine church have remained hidden beneath the medieval layers of the Yivli Minare Mosque in Antalya. Yet evidence of this Christian past has not disappeared. It lies scattered in the open. The Yivli Minare Mosque and the Seljuk walls of Kaleiçi preserve clues to an earlier structure on this hilltop. Now, newly exposed areas from excavations around Yivli Minare invite us to look again at what once stood here.
The excavations reveal more of a medieval complex constructed over an earlier Byzantine Christian structure. As archaeologists uncover new areas and identify objects associated with the site, they provide an opportunity to ask an important question: What can these discoveries tell us about the Byzantine church known as St. John’s Church and the Christian community that once occupied this prominent place in Antalya?
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Two Forgotten Monuments of Ephesus
In the Ephesus Museum in Vienna, a few items dominate that no longer exist at the ancient site. The Harbor Gymnasium and the Parthian Battle Wall are forgotten monuments that do not appear at the ancient site. Yet, in Vienna, these items dominate the rooms.
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Analyzing the Celsus Library statues in Vienna
The original statues from the Celsus Library now stand in Vienna, far from their ancient home in Ephesus. What can we learn by comparing the statues Vienna displays with what remains at the ancient site? Their journey from Ephesus to Vienna opens a fascinating story about archaeology, empire, and the decisions that shaped what we see today.
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From Ephesus to Vienna: Surprises in the Ephesos Museum
When I planned a visit to Vienna, I had no idea the city was home to a museum dedicated to Ephesus. Having recently walked through the archaeological site of Ephesus myself, I was intrigued when my research kept linking to Vienna and the collections preserved there. Visiting the museum added another dimension to my experience. Seeing artifacts, maps, and statues connected to Ephesus gave me a broader perspective on the ancient city and helped me better understand the archaeological site I had recently explored.
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Unique Facts about Colossae in light of Archaeology
The 2025 archaeological excavation at Colossae (modern Honaz, Denizli Province, Türkiye) opens the door to one of the few remaining biblical sites in Asia Minor. The primary excavations of this city may create answers to the many mysteries of the book of Colossians. Let’s consider some unique ideas about this ancient city in light of its biblical history.
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