Archaeology Digs, LiDAR Finds and Shipwrecks — 2026-09-15

Top developments

New Excavation Sector Opens at Göbekli Tepe

On September 12, 2026, it was announced that a new excavation area has been opened to the north of the main site at Göbekli Tepe in Şanlıurfa, Turkey. This expansion aims to further investigate the Neolithic site, which is approximately 11,500 years old, and continue challenging established theories about the relationship between settlement and agriculture. The ongoing work at this "zero point of history" continues to yield insights into early human architectural and social complexity.

First Saponified Brain in Iberian Peninsula Discovered

Archaeologists working at the Santa Clara convent site in Pontevedra, Spain, have unearthed what is believed to be the first saponified brain found in the Iberian Peninsula. This rare preservation state, where body fat turns into a waxy substance called adipocere, has only three other documented cases worldwide. The discovery provides unique biological data from the historical period associated with the convent.

4,400-Year-Old Tomb with Original Colors Unveiled in Saqqara

A joint Egyptian-Spanish archaeological mission announced on September 8, 2026, the discovery of a tomb from the late Fifth Dynasty in Saqqara, dating back approximately 4,400 years. The tomb, attributed to high-ranking officials during the reign of King Djedkare Isesi, contains two funerary chapels and reliefs depicting agricultural scenes and offering rituals that still retain their original pigments. This finding offers exceptional insight into the artistic techniques and daily life of the Old Kingdom.

Farmer Accidentally Uncovers Massive Roman Hoard

In a remarkable turn of events reported on September 13, 2026, a farmer searching for a lost hammer with a metal detector discovered a hoard containing 15,000 Roman coins, gold jewelry, and silver tableware. The find, which occurred while the farmer was looking for his tool, has provided new evidence regarding the wealth and economic networks of the late Roman period. Such accidental discoveries continue to reshape our understanding of rural economic activity in antiquity.

Local view

Spain: Local media outlets such as Infobae and El Mundo are highlighting the ongoing success of excavation campaigns in the country. Infobae reports that archaeologists from the University of Málaga (UMA) have achieved "unpublished findings" during the current season at Cerro del Villar, a Phoenician colony site. Meanwhile, El Mundo features a retrospective on the "Spanish Pompeii" of Albacete, noting that the site continues to rewrite prehistoric knowledge, with comparisons being drawn to the significance of Atapuerca.

Turkey: Turkish media, including Sputnik Türkiye and Sabah, are focusing on the broader implications of recent work in Anatolia. Reports emphasize how findings at Göbekli Tepe and related sites like Boncuklu Höyük are illuminating a "lost 3,000-year history," suggesting that complex social structures and monumental architecture preceded agriculture.

Context & numbers

• Copán Drone Survey: Marking the 50th anniversary of major discoveries at the Maya site of Copán in Honduras, authorities are launching a new initiative using drones and aerial scanning to update the site's historical record and locate new treasures.
• 66-Million-Year-Old Fossil: In Ankara, Turkey, excavations at Külhöyük yielded a 66-million-year-old Gastropoda fossil from the Tethys Sea period, linking ancient geological history with Hittite-era urban layers.
• Underwater Archaeology: A study published recently suggests that underwater archaeology reveals the hidden scale of ancient Mediterranean ports was significantly larger than land-based remains indicate, reshaping models of trade networks.

On the radar

• AI in LiDAR Analysis: Researchers are increasingly utilizing AI trained on simulated sites to identify unknown features in LiDAR data, particularly in forested landscapes where traditional survey methods fail.
• Bom Jesus Shipwreck Legacy: Interest remains high in the Bom Jesus shipwreck, one of the richest ever found, as new analyses of its 500-year-old cargo continue to emerge, illustrating the longevity of maritime archaeological impact.