Archaeological discoveries at Hala Sultan Tekke in 2026

During the 2026 excavation season at the Dromolaxia-Vizakia site near Hala Sultan Tekke, archaeologists uncovered significant architectural remains and ceramics dating from the 17th to the 15th century BC. Led by Professor Peter M. Fischer of the University of Gothenburg and Professor Teresa Bürge of the Universities of Gothenburg and Bern, an international team of experts and students conducted research throughout February, May, and June. This season's work provides new insight into the origins and evolution of the settlement, confirming its status as a major urban and commercial hub during the Bronze Age.

The findings highlight the extensive long-distance trade networks connected to the site. The discovery of a wide range of imported goods indicates that Hala Sultan Tekke received merchandise from as far as Sardinia in the west, Afghanistan and India in the east, the Baltic in the north, and Nubia in the south. These findings, announced by the Department of Antiquities of the Deputy Ministry of Culture, clarify the processes that transformed the site into a primary Mediterranean trading center. The research remains a vital part of understanding the early development of this historic location.