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🏛️”Sovereigns of the Silk Road” Archaeology / Dinner Series 🍽️
🏛️Sovereigns of the Silk Road: Ancient Legacies of Asia Minor
A 2026 Spring Archaeology Series at the Sancar Turkish Cultural and Community Center, designed to bridge the gap between academic excellence and high-end cultural engagement.
“Sovereigns of the Silk Road” is a prestigious four-month journey through the heart of Asia Minor. Before the Ottoman era, this land was a kaleidoscope of empires, from the first farmers of the Neolithic to the formidable Hittite charioteers and the strategic fortresses of the Byzantine-Islamic frontier. Attendees will traverse 10,000 years of history through the eyes of the region’s leading archaeologists, paired with a curated menu from Chapel Hill’s renowned Talulla’s Restaurant.
The Season Pass Advantage – $150: Secure your place for the remainder of the journey. The Season Pass offers a $45 discount over individual tickets and ensures you don’t miss remaining chapters of this epic saga. Each pass includes a dedicated beverage ticket for each event and a reserved seat at the most anticipated cultural series in the Triangle.
General Admission: $65 per event
Students: FREE (with Student Email Address) – Sponsored by “Ender Charitable Fund”
If you haven’t already purchased your season pass, you can buy a Season Pass for the remaining three events: $150 ($50 per event)
The Ticket System: Upon entry, “General Admission” and “Season Pass” holders will receive one premium beverage ticket. This ticket is redeemable for one glass of curated wine or a non-alcoholic specialty drink. (Students do not receive a ticket).
All events: 6:00 PM Reception, 6:45 PM Lecture, end at 8:00 PM sharp.
On March 11th Dr. Benjamin Arbuckle revealed the majestic “Animal Engine” behind the Hittite Empire’s rise to ancient power with his Chariots of Power: The Animal Engine of the Hittite Empire presentation.
On April 16th we had an insightful with Dr. Kate Grossman to the enigmatic “tells” of the Syrian-Anatolian borderlands via her Beyond the City Walls: Life at the Ancient Crossroads presentation.
🏛️Event #4 – May 6 , 2026, Wednesday
Spaces Between the Teeth: Settlements on the Islamic Frontier 🔗
Dr. Asa Eger’s talk will be on the Islamic-Byzantine Frontier, from the 7-10th centuries mainly. It will focus on cities, including Antakya, Tarsus, Malatya, etc., and Cappadocia for the Byzantine side. Fortresses were built during the Crusader period and after with few exceptions. He will talk about the transition from fortresses to cities because cities represent an open and connected frontier, rather than a closed and militarized one with castles.