Nevzat Çevik

The Kekova region, or Sunken City, which has remained under the sea after two major earthquakes in the sixth century in the Mediterranean, is a frequent destination for hundreds of local and foreign tourists every year.

Thousands of pieces that have been unearthed during the Myra and Andriake excavations in the southern province of Antalya's Demre district are being put together.

"This work we are doing is like digging in an office. Thousands of pieces are being completed like a big ancient puzzle," said the head of excavations Professor Nevzat Çevik.

The 5,000-year-old ceramic pieces that have been found during excavations in the ancient city of Myra in the southern province of Antalya's Demre district took the history of the ancient city 2,000 years back.

The 13th season excavations have started in Myra-Andriake, one of the six most important cities of the Lycian League located in the Demre district of the southern province of Antalya.

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Professor Nevzat Çevik, the head of the excavations, stated that the Myra-Andriake excavations would continue all year round with the decision of the Culture and Tourism Ministry.

Roman theater masks in the ancient city of Myra, located in the Demre district of the southern province of Antalya and one of the most visited and income-generating archaeological sites in the region, continue to attract the attention of visitors.

He rides a reindeer-drawn sleigh, makes toys in the North Pole with the help of elves and brings gifts to children through chimneys. Father Christmas is an indispensable part of Christmas every year across the world. But little is known that he was a native of what is today Antalya, a tourist hotspot on Turkey's Mediterranean coast.

The Culture and Tourism Ministry has unveiled a series of measures to be implemented for archaeological excavations, as the country makes preparations to reopen after having taken the coronavirus outbreak under control.

In a circular sent to museums, it has been stressed that archaeological excavations and surface analyses will start with strict measures on June 1.

The cross of a 12th century Byzantine chapel, located outside the ancient city of Myra in the southern province of Antalya, has reportedly been stolen. 

Demre District Governor Murat Uz said an investigation has been opened into the theft, and they believe the 20-centimeter long marble cross was stolen in the last three or four days. 

The Lycian Civilizations Museum, opened last year in the southern province of Antalya's Demre district, has been displaying artifacts indoors and outside.  

A total of 1009 artifacts unearthed during excavations in the Lycian League cities have been drawing local and foreign tourists to the region. 

The oldest olive oil press in Anatolia has been discovered in the ancient city of Lyrboton Kome in Antalya, but archaeologists have expressed special excitement at revelations that many of the olive oil facilities and the town itself was founded by a woman.