Archaeologists in western Turkey have uncovered Mycenaean tombs at a 5,000-year-old settlement dubbed “Izmir’s Troy,” revealing new evidence of ancient connections across the Aegean.
The settlement lies in modern-day İzmir, home to the ancient Greek city of Smyrna (Greek: Σμύρνη). Excavations at Yassıtepe, next to Yeşilova Mound on the Bornova Plain, have revealed a fan-shaped settlement with temples, workshops, storage areas and surrounding walls. Researchers have also uncovered bronze objects, pottery and large storage jars.
Associate Professor Zafer Derin, who leads the excavation, said different parts of the settlement were set aside for specific activities. He compared Yassıtepe with the earliest phases of Troy, calling the site “Izmir’s Troy.” The excavation is being conducted on behalf of Turkey’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Ege University, with support from the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality.
Trade and agriculture flourished at Yassıtepe
Finds from the settlement point to an economy based on agriculture, craft production and trade. Researchers say its commercial connections stretched from inland western Anatolia to the Aegean coast and areas overseas. Evidence of metalworking and pottery production has also emerged.
Archaeologists in Türkiye have uncovered new clues from a 5,000-year-old settlement dubbed “İzmir’s Troy.”
The site reveals a planned ancient city, Mycenaean tombs, long-distance trade, wine and olive production, and traces of a powerful earthquake. pic.twitter.com/ygwCcKLy1Q
— Tom Marvolo Riddle (@tom_riddle2025) September 22, 2026
Agricultural finds include olive pits dating back about 5,000 years, discovered during the 2026 excavations. Researchers had previously found evidence of grapes and figs.
Grape seeds, dried grape remains, and traces interpreted as grape molasses have also been uncovered. Some vessels may have held wine. Evidence of prehistoric wine production has also been found in the Aegean, including at the settlement of Orthopetra in northern Greece.
Derin said the Yassıtepe discoveries show grapes were used in several forms and were part of commercial life. He suggested the finds could point to the deep roots of grape cultivation in Bornova, an area later associated with Muscat grapes. However, researchers have not established a direct connection between the ancient grapes and the modern variety.
Mycenaean tombs reveal Aegean connections
Archaeologists have also uncovered later tombs associated with Mycenaean culture. The discovery adds to archaeological evidence of the extensive trade networks maintained by Mycenaeans across the Bronze Age Mediterranean.
Derin said the graves may have belonged to Mycenaeans who traveled to the region for trade. The deceased were placed in large jars in a fetal position. Food and drink vessels were left as grave goods, while some jars carried reliefs of a pregnant mother goddess.
Two cylinder seals were discovered in one tomb during the 2026 excavations. Researchers also recovered jewelry and vessels that may have contained olive oil or wine. Elsewhere at Yassıtepe, archaeologists identified Anatolian leopard remains. Derin interprets them as possible evidence of elite hunting. A space containing numerous drinking vessels has also been identified as a possible reception hall used to receive guests.
The site also preserves evidence of natural disaster. Some walls show S-shaped deformation that researchers link to horizontal ground movement during an earthquake around 2800 BC.
Derin said the earthquake may have helped bring life at the settlement to an end. Together, the discoveries provide a detailed picture of how people built, produced goods, traded, and lived on the Bornova Plain thousands of years ago.
See all the latest news from Greece and the world at Greekreporter.com. Contact our newsroom to report an update or send your story, photos and videos. Follow GR on Google News and subscribe here to our daily email!
