Blog
Tantalisingly Turkish
21 February 2021 Sally
Since we have all been locked up due to the COVID pandemic we decided not to waste our time staring at the wall. We have been busy experimenting in our kitchens and Zoom meeting chefs...
Read MoreGöbekli Tepe and the Legend of the Shahmaran
03 October 2019 Sally
Göbekli Tepe, the ancient Neolithic site in eastern Turkey, features many animals among its motifs. One of the most prominent of the creatures depicted there is the snake. It is interesting therefore that the snake...
Read MoreNemrut – Where is it?
03 July 2019 Sally
Nimrod is a Biblical figure who was King in the Land of Shinar; he was the son of Cush, the son of Ham, the son of Noah. He was “a mighty hunter before...
Read MoreSumela Monastery
29 May 2019 Sally
Accessed from Trabzon, the Sumela Monastery is one of Turkey’s iconic monuments. Situated in the Black Sea region of North East Turkey, Sumela clings to a sheer cliff commanding a majestic view of...
Read MoreThe day I found Noah’s Ark
28 May 2019 Sally
Last year Don Black and his son visited us and toured the Van and Ararat regions. Don wrote an article about his experience which was published in a British Regional Newspaper, The East Anglian Times...
Read MoreNeolithic House Party
20 May 2019 Sally
Depiction of bowl showing dancers with turtle from Nevali Çori, possibly showing turtle as a psychopomp or spirit guide of a living person's soul Over the past 30 years or so, South East Turkey has been...
Read MoreWhat’s in a name? The things you learn on your...
29 April 2019 Sally
In a rapidly growing world where most of us now live in city sprawls and where even villages are gobbling up ancient places with important histories, memories are quickly disappearing. But memories do live on...
Read MoreGöbekli Tepe
22 April 2019 Sally
"What is it with the handbags"? A huge amount of energy is expended on the subject of “bags” because this particular accessory seems to appear right across the world in ancient art and monumental...
Read MoreThe Chariot Makers of Urartu
24 March 2019 Sally
Upper Anzaf Fortress, 10 km just east of Van is a curious place. At first glance there's not a lot to see. Just the remnants of a long stone wall skirting the hill. They could...
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