Anatolia

As Turkey's rich legacy of civilizations attracts amateur and professional treasure hunters, historical sites and areas believed to contain "treasures" from past civilizations were raided illegally, especially during the pandemic despite the security measures.

Turkish security forces said on July 2 they arrested at least two suspects for smuggling historical artifacts.

Gendarmerie teams conducted a raid at an address in the Altındağ district of Ankara province, according to a statement.

A total of 1,016 coins, a metal horse statue, a ring and two artifacts belonging to the Roman and Byzantine periods were seized.

Salt Lake, Turkey's second-largest lake in Central Anatolia, offers enchanting scenery to visitors during sunset. (DHA Photo)

A total of 4,862 cultural assets were returned to Turkey between 2003 and 2021, according to data given by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Authorities continue to work in coordination with relevant institutions in order to prevent cultural property smuggling and bring back Turkish origin artifacts found abroad.

The Turkish State Meteorological Service has declared a yellow warning for 22 provinces, including Istanbul and Ankara, for heavy rains expected this week while calling on people to take precautions.

Located in the western Central Anatolian region, the Balıkdamı Wildlife Protection and Improvement Area hosts some 286 bird species. (AA Photo)

The layers of salt in Lake Tuz, Turkey's second-biggest lake, is diminishing as the water mass of the lake is shrinking, an expert warned on June 6.

"Due to drought, the lake faces the threat of shrinking, as the water has ebbed around a kilometer," Hatice Ünal Ercan told Demirören News Agency.

Climate change is posing risks not only to the environment but also to cultural, ancient and historical sites in Turkey, experts have warned.

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.

Inverted tulips that grow in the mountainous regions of Anatolia in the spring have started to blossom on Mount Palandöken in eastern Erzurum province. (DHA Photo)