INVITATION
TO
AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL
EXCAVATION
JOIN THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL TEAM
BE A GUEST AT AN ONGOING
EXCAVATION SITE
AND
DISCOVER
THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL WONDERS SUCH AS
TROY, EPHESUS, PERGAMON, APHRODISIAS, SARDIS AND
MANY MORE...
Alacahoyuk Excavations by
Professor Aykut Cinaroglu,
Ankara University
Aigai Excavations by
Professor Ersin Doger,
Ege University
W
From
Alacahoyuk
ith special permission from Professor Cinaroglu and
Professor Doger, we invite archaeology enthusiasts
and academicians to be a guest at one of the two
archaeological excavation sites and enjoy the thrill of the dig
with the excavation team, even work with them on the
restoration work, after visiting many amazing archaeological
sites throughout Turkey. We combined this rare opportunity
with a tour program which covers the best archaeological sites
in Turkey.
Alacahoyuk is one of the oldest sites of residence in Anatolia and has
been an important settlement during the Early Bronze Age and the
Hittite Empire.
Aigai (1100 B.C) was one of the 12 Aiol cities, is a site that has never
been excavated before and its special location protected the ruins and
caused the site to remain intact.
From
Alacahoyuk
From
Alacahoyuk
Once you decide to join the tour and the excavations, an invitation
letter from the Professor in charge of the excavation will
be sent to you and a portion of the tour price will be donated to
the excavation and your certificate of contribution will be
presented to you at the end of the tour.
Come and experience the journey of a lifetime.
Unearthed at Aigai excavations - 2004
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AIGAI AND ALACAHOYUK EXCAVATIONS
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Field Study at Alacahoyuk & Aigai for Universities and
University Students
Prof. Cinaroglu (Ankara University) and Prof. Doger (Ege University)
invite university archaeology departments and students to Alacahoyuk
& Aigai for field study during excavation period. A special permit is
required to participate in the excavations, and the application should be
submitted to the Turkish Embassy in US and then confirmed by the
Director of the Excavations. Please contact us for more information on
the permit and the field study.
For Archaeology Enthusiasts
Join the archaeological team of Alacahoyuk & Aigai and experience the
thrill of unearthing 3500 years of history.
ALACAHOYUK
give us some idea of the opulence of the town. Some cult items like
abstract symbols, disks decorated with swastikas and statuettes are found
in these tombs. Figurines of animals like the stag and the bull and a variety
of objects of gold, silver, electrum, bronze and iron, throw light not only
on the art of the people who lived in central Anatolia, in this period but
on their social life and religious beliefs.
A
Sphinx Gate - Alacahoyuk
lacahoyuk is located northeast of Khattusha-Bogazkoy in north
central Turkey in the Corum province. It is one of the oldest sites
of residence in Anatolia and an important Hittite settlement.
Alacahoyuk has been known to the world of archaeology since the middle
of the XIX th century. The reason why this place has become so well
known throughout the world over the last 150 years is that there are two
sphinxes dating back to the 2nd millenium B.C. and a group of Hittite
reliefs standing in the open air which are unique for their genre.
These sphinxes and the reliefs, unseen in any other Hittite city, stand in
front of a building identified as a temple-place in the inner city (citadel).
On the reliefs, together with the figures of a ceremony led by a Hittite
King and a Queen, the names of whom could not be identified, are
figures of people carved offering gifts to a goddess sitting on her throne.
Alacahoyuk has been first introduced to the archaeology world in 1835 by
W.C. Hamilton. Afterwards Alacahoyuk has been frequently visited by
many scholars who came to Asia Minor. In 1861 G. Perrot has come to
hoyuk and unearthed one of the orhastats and the plan of the tower to
the right and left of the gates. After this, Perrot was the first to claim that
the freezes date back to the Hittite period. After Perrot, W. Ramsey,
Wilson, E. Chantre, H. Winckler and Th. Macridy are among the many
who made research on the site.
First systematic archaeological research and excavation in Alacahoyuk
started in 1935 by H.Z. Koþay and R.O. Arik on behalf of the Turkish
Historical Association with the initiatives of Atatürk. From 1997 till this
day, the excavations are supervised by Prof. Dr. Aykut Cinaroglu from
department of Archaeology, Ankara University.
Alacahoyuk has four cultural periods;
I- Stratum IV (3500-3000 BC.-building level 14-9);
corresponds to Early Bronze I (Chalcolithic according to
the excavators classification).
II- Stratum III(3000-2000 BC.- Levels 8-5);
to Early Bronze II and III. In the Early Bronze
Age, Alacahoyuk was clearly the centre of an
influential, powerful and wealthy princedon. The
famous 'royal tombs' (thirteen burials), which are
broadly contemporary with the 'treasures' of Troy II
From Alacahoyuk
III- Stratum II(2000-1200 BC. with four building phases 2, 3a, 3b
and 4); yielded remains of a Hittite settlement. Phase 4
belongs to the Early Hittite period; the others are
attributed to the New Empire. The town walls with
their carved orthastats have inner and outer
gateways with ramps for archers. The outer
monumental gateway, erected by the Hittites after
they reoccupied Alaca was set between two towers, guarded
by two great sphinxes. Inside the Sphinx Gate was a large Hittite building
complex that still requires excavation.
IV- Stratum I (1200-600 BC.); yielded remains of a Phrygian
settlement. Alaca Höyük was a small site in Phrygian Age.
EXCAVATION STAGES
1835
While touring Anatolia, William J. Hamilton
accidentally discovers the Sphinx Gate and brings it to
the attention of the world.
1859
Dr. H. Barth conducts an initial study of the
Sphinx Gate.
1861
The Sphinx Gate is further explored by A.D. Mordmann.
1869
H.G. van Lennep is intrigued by the origins of the sphinx
symbol and conducts a comparative study between the reliefs
of Alacahoyuk and Egypt. He also produces a preliminary sketch
of the Sphinx Gate.
1881
W. Ramsey and Wilson uncover more wall reliefs on both
sides of the Gate.
1893
Ernest Chantre concentrates on the Gate and second entrance behind
it, sketching the Gate's facade and the lions situated to the south.
1894
Villagers oppose Ernest Chantre's attempts to move a section of the
wall reliefs.
1907
At the request of Halil Ethem, the director of the Istanbul Museum at
the time, the Hugo Winkler - Theodor Makridi team, conduct excavations
at Alacahoyuk revealing another section of the wall reliefs.
1926-1927 H.H. von der Osten, works systematically within the framework of the
research programme laid out by the Chicago Institute of Oriental Studies
which publish his findings in a report.
1935
Under the directives of Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of
Turkey, Alacahoyuk becomes one of the first archaeological excavation
sites of the young republic.
1936-1980 Excavations continue under the leadership of Hamit Zubeyr Kosay.
1998-
Following an interlude in the 80s, excavations resume under the
direction Prof. Dr. Aykut Cinaroglu of the Department of Archeology at
Ankara University.
From
Alacahoyuk
ARCHAEOLOGICAL TOUR OF TURKEY
AND ALACAHOYUK EXCAVATIONS
TOUR ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrive Istanbul
Arrive Istanbul Airport. Meet and transfer to the
hotel. Orientation Tour & Briefing.
From
Alacahoyuk
Day 2: Istanbul
Full day Istanbul sightseeing. Visit the Hagia Sophia
Museum (built in the 6th Century, once the largest
Christian church in the world); the Topkapi Palace
(Imperial Residence of Ottoman Sultans, with displays of
priceless world-class collections of artifacts, jewelry and
rare porcelain); the Blue Mosque (unique with its 6
minarets and famous for its blue Iznik tiles); the
Hippodrome Square, where ancient chariot races were
held; and then visit the world famous Grand Covered
Bazaar.
Day 3: Istanbul - Troy - Canakkale
Drive to Gallipoli, the site of the First World War, through the
European lands of Turkey. Cross the Dardanelles strait by ferryboat; then
visit ancient Troy; see its legendary walls and the replica of the wooden
horse. Overnight in Canakkale.
Day 9: Cappadocia - Hitite Museum - Ankara
Drive to Ankara. Visit the Agzikarahan Caravanserai from Selcuk period
on the way. Then visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations (also called
Hittite Museum) and Mausoleum of Kemal Atatürk. Overnight in
Ankara.
Day 10: Ankara - Hattusas (Bogazkale) - Yazilikaya - Corum
Drive to Bogazkale to visit the famous Hittite city Hattusas from 2,500
BC. Then visit the unique ancient reliefs in Yazilikaya. Proceed to Corum
for an overnight stay.
Day 11: Participants Full Day Work at ALACAHOYUK Excavations
Day 12: Participants Full Day Work at ALACAHOYUK Excavations
Tonight Farewell Dinner with Ankara University members in Ankara
Day 13: Transfer to Ankara Airport for departure.
THE HITTITE DAM
Day 4: Pergamon - Izmir
Visit the Acropolis, the steepest theater of the ancient world, the Temple
of Trojan, Library, Asclepion, the ancient healing center and the Red
Basilica which was the Egyptian Temple of Serapis, which was later
converted into one of the Seven Churches of the Apocalypse. Evening at
leisure. Overnight in Izmir.
Day 5: Ephesus - Izmir
Drive to Selcuk. Visit the House of the Virgin Mary; ancient Ephesus, the
Archaeological Museum and the Temple of Diana (or Artemis) which is
one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient World. Return to Izmir for
another overnight stay.
Day 6: Sardis - Hierapolis - Pamukkale
Drive to Sardis, the capital of ancient Lydia. Visit the Temple of Cybele
which later became a church, the famous Synagogue from the 3rd
Century; the Gymnasium and the new excavations area. See the Golden
River Pactalos. Proceed to Pamukkale to visit Hierapolis. Overnight in
Pamukkale.
Day 7: Konya (Iconium - Cappadocia)
Early departure to Konya. Visit the Mevlana Museum, 13th Century
Whirling Dervish Monastery. After lunch, continue to Cappadocia
where nature has scoured surrealistic moonscape shapes and
where the persecuted Christians dug underground cities and
churches during the 9th Century. Overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 8: Cappadocia
Full day Cappadocia visit, including Goreme Open Air
Museum. Avanos the pottery making town , the
natural citadel of Uchisar and the
underground city of Kaymakli.
Overnight in Cappadocia.
From
Alacahoyuk
T
he Hittite Dam unearthed at the site in 2003 is
3200 years old and in amazingly good condition.
Built by the Hittites, the dam is considered to be an
"engineering marvel" by the
experts.
The Hittite dam at
Alacahoyuk is Asia Minor's
first and world's second(first is
in Egypt) oldest known dam.
After the restoration, the
From Alacahoyuk
dam will regain its function of
3200 years ago and be used
for irrigation again. This type
of project is the first of its
kind in Turkey.
L
AIGAI
Kingdom of Seleucia and both kingdoms wanted
this border city.
ocated east of Izmir Aigai is one of the 12
Aiol cities mentioned by Heredotus.
According to the archaeological data, Aigai dates
back to to 1100 B.C. and the city has been an
important settlement during the Hellenistic
Period.
The city has been destroyed in the earthquake
of 17 A.C. and has been rebuilt by the Emperor
Tiberius.
Inside the city walls, to the east, three storey Agora
with stoas in the front, bouleuterion, stadion, theatre
The city of Aigai has been flourished during 300 B.C. by
Agora - Aigai
and to the west of the theatre, Temple of Demeter are some
the support of the Kingdom of Pergamon. The prosperity of
of the ruins that are going to be excavated and restored.
the city thrived by the donations from Pergamon Kings and from time to
time from the Kingdom of Seleucia. We observe that the city plan of
Aigai reminds us of Pergamon's, in fact it has the same city plan with
6-7 km.s east of Aigai, the ruins of the Temple of Apollon also waits to be
Pergamon. Aigai lay on the border of Kingdom of Pergamon and the
excavated and restored.
AIGAI EXCAVATIONS TOUR ITINERARY
Program 1
Program 2
Day 1: Arrive Izmir
Arrive Istanbul Airport. Take the connecting flight to Izmir. Transfer
to the hotel.
Day 2: Izmir
In the morning half-day city tour. Start your tour with a visit to
ancient Agora, continue with Mount Pagos, once called the
crown of Smyrna. Visit Alexander the Great's castle,
overlooking Izmir. Then visit the Archaeological and
Ethnographical Museums. In the afternoon, participate in
the seminars arranged specially for the Aigai participants on
"Archaeological Sites and Values in Turkey" by academicians
from Ege University.
Day 3: Ephesus
Depart for Ephesus, the most complete archaeological ruin in
the Mediterranean. The excavation at Ephesus is still being
continued. The city was dedicated to the goddess of Artemis,
whose temple is one of the seven wonders of the world. Then visit
the Ephesus Museum, the Basilica of St. John and the House of
Virgin Mary.
Day 1: Arrive Izmir
Arrive Istanbul Airport. Take the connecting flight to Izmir. Transfer to
the hotel.
Day 2: Ephesus
Depart for Ephesus, the most complete archaeological ruin in
the Mediterranean. The excavation at Ephesus is still being
continued. The city was dedicated to the goddess of Artemis,
whose temple is one of the seven wonders of the world. Then
visit the Ephesus Museum, the Basilica of St. John and the
House of Virgin Mary.
Day 3: Pergamon
Visit Pergamon, which is a fascinating ruin with the steepest
amphitheatre of the ancient world. Home to the famous
physician Galen, walk through the remains of the Asclepion,
the ancient medical centre dedicated to the god of health and
medicine. Aigai was the sister city of Pergamon, you will find
many similarities between two ruins. In the evening Professor Ersin
Temple of Apollon - Aigai
Doger will give a briefing on Aigai, the city and the ongoing
excavations.
Day 4: Pergamon
Visit Pergamon, which is a fascinating ruin with the steepest amphitheatre of the
ancient world. Home to the famous physician Galen, walk through the remains of
the Asclepion, the ancient medical centre dedicated to the god of health and
medicine. Aigai was the sister city of Pergamon, you will find many similarities
between two ruins. In the evening Professor Ersin Doger will give a briefing on
Aigai, the city and the
ongoing excavations.
Day 5: Aigai
Today you will
participate a live
excavation with
Professor Ersin Doger
and the excavation
team.
Day 6: Aigai
Second day of the
excavations.
Bouleuterion - Aigai
Day 7: Departure
Transfer to Izmir airport
for departure.
Day 4: Aigai
Today you will participate a live excavation with Professor Ersin Doger and the
excavation team.
Day 5: Aigai
Second day of the excavations.
Day 6: Istanbul
Early flight to Istanbul. In the morning visit the two masterpieces of Byzantine era,
Chora and St. Sophia. Then visit Topkapi Palace, the Blue Mosque, Hippodrome
and the amazing underground cistern.
Day 7: Istanbul
Relax with a cruise on
the breathtaking
Bosphorus on your
last day in Turkey. In
the afternoon explore
the famous Grand
Bazaar.
Day 8: Departure
Transfer to Istanbul
airport for departure.
Chapel - Aigai
ARCHAEOLOGICAL ODYSSEY
Day 1: Arrival in Ankara
You are met at the airport by Fortis Travel representative and
transferred to your hotel. In the evening enjoy a welcome drink
during a short briefing by your tour director on your tour program.
Day 2: Hattussas-Yazilikaya-Alacahoyuk
In the morning drive to Bogazkale to visit the famous Hittite
city of Hattusas from 2,500 B.C..Then visit Yazilikaya, one of
the most famous of the Hittite rock monuments, where a
portion of the inscriptions from the Treaty of Kadesh-first written
treaty in the history-between Hittites and Egypt, is still present.
Day 3: Museum of Anatolian Civilizations
In the morning visit the Museum of Anatolian
Civilizations. In the afternoon, drive to Cappadocia.
Today explore Cappadocia with its chimney-like rock
formations.
Day 5: Cappadocia-Konya-Antalya
Drive to Konya and on the way visit the 13th century Caravanserai. In
Konya visit the museum of Mevlana, known in the western world as Rumi,
the former convent of the Whirling Dervishes and the great Islamic
philosopher. After a beautiful full day drive through Anatolian plateau
arrive at Antalya, a beautiful Mediterranean resort town.
Day 6 : Termessos-Phaselis-Chimera-Myra.
Visit Termessos, the only city no to yield to Alexander. Sit in the
breathtaking Roman theatre. In the afternoon continue to Phaselis and
Chimera. Visit the church of St. Nicholas (Santa Claus) in Myra, where he
is said to be buried.
Day 9: Aphrodisias
On your way to Izmir, visit Aphrodisias, the city dedicated to the
goddess of love. Aphrodisias was known throughout the ancient
world for its distinctive school of sculpture. The excavations at
Aprodisias are still being continued.
Day 10: Ephesus
Visit Ephesus the most complete archaeological ruin in
the Mediterranean. The excavations at Ephesus are still
being continued. The city is dedicated to the goddess of
Artemis, whose temple is one of the Seven Wonders of
the World. Then visit the Ephesus Museum, the basilica
of St. John and the house of Virgin Mary.
Day 11: Pergamon-Troy
Visit Pergamon, which is a fascinating ruin with the steepest amphitheatre
of the ancient world. Home to the famous physician Galen, walk through
the remains of the Asclepion, the ancient medical centre dedicated to the
god of health and medicine. Then continue on to legendary Troy, the city
immortalised in Homer's Iliad.
Day 12: Istanbul
From Canakkale, cross the sea of Marmara by ferry and drive into the only
city in the world that bridges Europe and Asia. In the afternoon visit the
Archaeological Museum of Istanbul.
Day 13: Istanbul
In the morning visit the two masterpieces of Byzantine era, Chora and St.
Sophia. Then visit Topkapi Palace, the Blue Mosque, Hippodrome and the
amazing underground cistern.
Day 14: Istanbul
Relax with a cruise on the Bosphorus
on your last day in Turkey. In the
afternoon explore the
famous Grand Bazaar.
Ephesus Museum
Day 15: Departure
Transfer to the airport for your
flight.
Ephesus Museum
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AIGAI AND ALACAHOYUK EXCAVATIONS
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www.fortistravel.com • email: info@fortistravel.com
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About Fortis Travel: Fortis Travel has been specializing in customized and academic travel since 1996. Sponsoring archaeological excavations,
organizing archaeological tours and biblical study groups, Fortis Travel tries to make Turkey's historical values known to scholars and academicians,
provide them with services in their research activities and educational programs.
Member of TURSAB, ASTA, IATA and JATA and sister-company of Anemon Hotels Group.
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Museum of
Anatolian
Civilizations
Day 4: Cappadocia
Tour Goreme with its rock churches
decorated with Christian frescoes. Then
visit the Byzantine monastic complex of
Zelve and the village of Avanos, which is
famous for its pottery. In the afternoon visit one of the
many underground cities of the region, Kaymakli or
Derinkuyu where the early Christians sought
Ephesus Museum
sanctuary to escape persecution.
Day 7: Perge-Side-Aspendos-Antalya
Visit Perge, Side, Aspendos, the major Pamphylian cities. Journey
back through time walking through Perge's monumental gateway
and sit at the theatre of Aspendos, one of the best preserved
ancient theatres in the world.
Day 8: Hierapolis
Drive to Pamukkale, which is famous for the immense tiers of
white limestone terraces filled with mineral water. Visit the
nearby Roman baths, theatre and necropolis of the nearby
town of Hierapolis.
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