Posted on 06/24/2006 3:14:51 PM PDT by blam
Þanlýurfa to shed more light on history of civilization
Saturday, June 24, 2006
Þanlýurfa to shed more light on history of civilization
ANKARA - Turkish Daily News
The southeastern Anatolian province of Þanlýurfa, considered to be the cradle of agriculture as well as hosting numerous examples of ancient architecture, promises new discoveries to shed light on the history of human evolution in the region.
Harran University Assistant Professor Cihan Kürkçüoðlu noted that every archaeological excavation to be carried out in Þanlýurfa would provide new information on the history of civilization in the region.
Kürkçüoðlu reminded the Anatolia news agency that Þanlýurfa is situated in the Fertile Crescent, considered in the literature to be the center of culture and civilization.
Kürkçüoðlu said 35 excavations were being conducted throughout the province in addition to the Atatürk Dam excavations, which kicked off in 1979 with the construction of the dam, and the digs at Harran, which started in 1983. Among these sites Gürcütepe, Kazene, Þaþkan and Göbeklitepe are of historical significance, said Kürkçüoðlu.
Some of the 80,000 artifacts that have shed light on the history of the Middle East starting from the Paleolithic age are on display at Þanlýurfa Museum, Kürkçüoðlu said, adding, "Þanlýurfa, playing host to a large number of excavations, is in need of a new museum."
Since the current museum does not have enough space, some artifacts are being stored in the museum's depot, he explained.
"More excavations will be carried out in the region. In order for the artifacts -- both those already discovered and those to be unearthed in future excavations -- to be displayed, the Millet Han project should be implemented as soon as possible."
Millet Han project:
Kürkçüoðlu said a project was drafted last year with support of the Þanlýurfa Governor's Office to restore Millet Han, which dates back to the Ottoman era, and to convert it into a culture center. The restoration of the building, constructed by Yavuz Sultan Selim at the beginning of the 16th century and which has served as barracks and a German orphanage, would cost YTL 5 million, Kürkçüoðlu said.
Should the project be completed, artifacts kept in museum storage will be put on display there. Kürkçüoðlu said the complex, which will also house bookstores and workshops, covers an area larger than that of the Istanbul Archaeology Museum.
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It's generous of Turkey to support the archaeological research of the region even though it had nothing to do with Turks.
They recognize the value of the tourist, perhaps?
They want to be in the EU. Good neighbors, etc.
Sounds like a place I would love to visit when it is completed.
You don't think any of the present day residents of Turkey are related to people from former cultures?
Turks really are part of the modern world with a very modern outlook.
There are subtleties in rhetorical use of the English language that are not obvious without much experience and training.
There are subtleties in rhetorical use of the English language that are not obvious without much experience and training.
Who introduced the concept of Turkish vandalism?
Turkish vandalism...It is what it is.
What's your game?
Talk about Turkish vandalism then. It is not my topic.
Since you have forgotten...Your original posting was so bizarre it required a response...I clarified that "generous" is not the way to describe vandalism.
Just trying to help scattered thoughts.
We'll let that bizarre interpretation stand for itself.
A Greek. What could we expect?
A Greek expects the truth unlike USEFUL FOOLS that pop up in unlikely places...such as threads about perserving heritage sites!
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