Conny Waters – AncientPages.com – The ancient city of Troy, located in northwestern Anatolia, is a significant site in both literature and archaeology. Strategically positioned on trade routes between Europe and Asia, Troy is famously associated with the legendary Trojan War—a central theme in ancient Greek literature that forms the basis of Homer’s Iliad.
Background: Ruins of Troy. Credit: Ebru Sargin L. – CC BY-SA 4.0 – Front: Artifact found during latest excavations. Credit: Culture and Tourism Minister
Historical studies indicate that Troy was first settled around 3600 BC and developed into a fortified city by 3000 BC (Troy I). Over its 4000-year history, Troy experienced multiple cycles of destruction and reconstruction, resulting in nine distinct archaeological layers identified by Roman numerals from Troy I to Troy IX.
Recent excavations at the site in Çanakkale have uncovered new historical insights into the city’s past. As part of Turkey’s “Heritage for the Future” project supported by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, archaeologists discovered a 4,500-year-old gold ring brooch and an exceptionally rare jade stone near the “6M Palace” structure in the Troy II layer. These artifacts date back to the Early Bronze Age.
The gold brooch is particularly noteworthy as it is one of only three known examples worldwide and stands out as one of the best-preserved finds from this period. According to Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, these discoveries rank among the most significant archaeological findings over the past century.
The recent findings from the Troy II layers, dating back to approximately 2,500 B.C., have provided new insights into the development of Troy during the Early Bronze Age. This period marked the emergence of urban centers across Anatolia and the Aegean. The revised dating clarifies Troy’s early significance as a crossroads between East and West, long before its legendary status in Homer’s Iliad. The city was already a center for trade, craftsmanship, and cultural exchange.
The jade stone and a 4,500-year-old gold ring brooch. Credit: Culture and Tourism Minister
Among the notable discoveries is a jade stone—a luxury item that reflects its owner’s social status and wealth—highlighting Troy’s involvement in extensive trade routes connecting regions such as the Near East, Central Asia, and possibly China. These artifacts will soon be displayed at the Troy Museum, providing scholars and visitors with direct access to this ancient civilization.
The Ministry of Culture has emphasized that these 2025 excavations have produced findings significant enough to enter global archaeological literature. The discovery of a gold brooch has resolved debates about Troy’s chronology while also uncovering other items, such as a bronze pin and a rare jade stone—symbols of power and prestige.
Professor Reyhan Körpe highlighted the importance of these finds by noting their high quality and local craftsmanship in Troy. The presence of non-native jade suggests extensive trade networks existed long before the Trojan War era.
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These ongoing excavations continue under Professor Rüstem Aslan’s direction with Körpe as deputy director at Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University. They reveal new aspects of early trade networks, craftsmanship practices, social hierarchies within ancient societies—and underscore why scholars worldwide remain captivated by this historically rich site today!
Written by Conny Waters – AncientPages.com Staff Writer
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