The Compass: Turkey’s medieval robots and secret tunnel

RJ Hamster

2 years ago

SEE BELOW, CAN YOU GUESS THE LOCATION?

THE COMPASS

This week’s virtual field trip takes us to Turkey. The country has something for everyone as beach towns and world-class archaeological sites combine with innovative cuisine, maze-like bazaars, and friendly people. Discover why an earthquake lasted 50 days, find out what we can learn from Istanbul’s 3,000 mosques, and spend the perfect weekend on Turkey’s sunny west coast.

PHOTOGRAPH BY Y. KOYUNCU AND M. ÖNAL, ANTIQUITY PUBLICATIONS LTD

Secret tunnel reveals procession of ancient gods

Assyrian deities of thunder and the moon were revealed by archaeologists in an underground chamber originally discovered by looters.

A SUBTERRANEAN COMPLEX

PHOTOGRAPH BY ROBERT HARDING PICTURE LIBRARY

An earthquake lasted 50 days, but no one felt it. Here’s why.

“You could call them phantom quakes,” one geologist says of the tectonic phenomena known as slow slip events.

PHANTOM QUAKES

PHOTOGRAPHS BY ALBA CAMBEIRO

What can we learn from Istanbul’s 3,000 mosques?

Faith, art, and history converge at these Islamic places of worship. We learn how architectural feats and design details chronicle Istanbul’s history.

DEVOTION, PRIDE, AND ARTISTRY

IN ITS ORIGINAL INCARNATION AS HALICARNASSUS, THIS PLACE WAS HOME TO ONE OF THE SEVEN WONDERS OF THE ANCIENT WORLD. NOW IT’S AN UNDER-THE-RADAR SEASIDE PARADISE. CAN YOU GUESS THE LOCATION?

CLICK TO SEE IF YOU’RE RIGHT!

BRIDGEMAN / ACI

Medieval robots? They were just one of this Muslim inventor’s creations

From water pumps to musical automatons, Ismail al-Jazari’s extraordinary machines ranged from practical to playful, delighting farmers and kings alike.

MARVELOUS INVENTIONS

GOOD READS

What it’s like to attend Turkey’s Quran schools for girls

What’s next for Turkey’s Hagia Sophia?

This Stone Age settlement took humanity’s first steps toward city life

Ancient ruins discovered under lake in Turkey

PHOTOGRAPH BY MURAT TUEREMIS, LAIF / REDUX

Spend the perfect weekend on Turkey’s sunny west coast

Colorful bazaars and ancient ruins beckon beyond the beach.

A KALEIDOSCOPE OF DELIGHTS

WHERE WILL WE JOURNEY TO NEXT?

Be sure to check your inbox next week to find out.

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