In the wake of the devastating earthquakes that struck the area on Feb. 6, the Disaster Area Excavation Directorate has launched into a decided mission to salvage and defend invaluable cultural treasures. The directorate, shaped underneath the Ministry of Culture and Tourism on Feb. 26, has made important strides, efficiently retrieving 550 artifacts from the particles in Hatay.
Comprising a devoted crew of 70 consultants spanning fields corresponding to artwork historical past, archaeology, structure, civil engineering, restoration and training, the directorate has been tirelessly engaged in safeguarding the cultural heritage of the affected area.
Muhammet Arslan, the top of the Disaster Area Excavation Directorate, shared his insights with Anadolu Agency (AA) concerning the scope of their endeavor. Notably, the earthquakes left a path of destruction throughout 11 provinces, together with Kahramanmaraş, the place cultural belongings additionally suffered important harm. In response, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism swiftly launched measures to guard and get better the area’s registered cultural treasures.
In the preliminary section of the operation, Arslan highlighted that their focus was on rescuing monumental works from the center of Antakya, such because the Habib-i Neccar Mosque, the Great Mosque and the Greek Orthodox Church. Among these monumental items, a exceptional complete of 550 high-quality artifacts have been salvaged from the rubble. These encompassed an array of things starting from intricately adorned stones to icons from the Greek Orthodox Church bearing spiritual depictions, and liturgical objects with profound ritual significance. All retrieved artifacts have been meticulously transported to the safe confines of the Hatay Archaeology Museum.
The subsequent section of the operation focused registered cultural belongings located amid the civil structure of Antakya’s central areas. Streets like Kurtuluş, Izmir, Istiklal and Inönü, also known as the “heart of Antakya,” bore the brunt of the earthquakes. These areas yielded cultural relics from residences and outlets, all of which performed an integral function within the tapestry of the town’s historical past.
Spanning an intensive space of 307 hectares (758.61 acres) inside Antakya, the Disaster Area Excavation Directorate has recognized 720 registered cultural belongings. Sadly, a big portion of those treasures had been severely broken or fully collapsed as a result of earthquakes. In a bid to guard and protect these invaluable objects, plans are underway to relocate roughly 250 registered cultural belongings to a safe segregation space.
Arslan articulated the timeline for his or her ongoing efforts, revealing that the separation of registered cultural belongings is projected to conclude by the top of September. Following this section, a complete restoration course of can be initiated, aligning with the city safety zoning plan meticulously ready for the world.
Source: www.dailysabah.com
