The Tilmen Hoyuk (Mound)

The history adds a page on itself

The Tilmen Mound is an ancient settlement place 10 km. east of Islahiye town within Gaziantep province in the South Eastern Turkey. It is consisted of a 21 m. high mound with axises of 220x150 m. and a terrace 4 m. high extending towards west, 160x110 m. in dimensions.

The Mound was discovered by a science committee during an archeological survey. Excavation work began in 1959 and continued until 1972. As a result of excavation continued for ten seasons, it was discovered that the settlement came into existance in the late Chalcolithic period (3400 BC), and the process continued into the First Millenium BC. The most remarkable settlement appeared between the years 1700-1600 BC. when it became the Royal capital; the palace complex with a temple, inner and outer strong defence walls surrounding the city bring Tilmen Mound to an important position from archeological point of view not only in the region but in the country.

When the excavation works ended in 1972, the architectural remains were in very good condition. But during the period since then until the year 2001, natural and external factors caused considerable damage. In 2002 implementation of the "Tilmen Mound Restoration and Environment Project" proposed by Prof Dr. Refik Duru, the TURSAB’s Cultural Advisor was initiated. During the period from June to October, a scientific team headed by Directorate of Gaziantep Museum and under the scientific management of Prof Dr. Refik Duru, worked for forty days with the aim of restoring damage occured, to bring the remains to the previous situation. This work has been realised by the financial support of TURSAB.

Dulkadirli Underground City

Unearthed Mistery

47 km. northeast of Kırsehir in Central Anatolia, lies the mysterious remains, called "Dulkadirli Underground City" or "Dulkadirli Monastry"

This monument was officially designated Archeological Site, in 1998, for its significance was recently realized. It is a 30 m. deep depression in the form of rectangular prism with a base, the dimensions of which are 45 m. by 32-26 m.

With the support of TURSAB one third of the accumulated debris was removed from the courtyard. During the operation, it was found that the deep depression cut in stone was connected with a tunnel-like entrance and a gallery surrounding the long northwest and the short sides. It was discovered that there were eleven rooms situated along the gallery, and a second one underneath.

Rough calculation indicate that the total volume of the central court, galleries and room is around 50.000 cubic meters; hard stone work, cut and removed was around 100.000 t. This extraordinary monument is indeed a remarkable work of humankind.

Rumor has it that it was built during the period of Christianity. But no scientific evidence has been found yet to prove that it was a religious building such as a monastery. Further works are needed in order to discover what it really was and to evaluate it from tourism standpoint.

Restoration for Peace and Friendship Village

Kayakoyu, an old deserted village, in the Southern Agean region of Turkey, is situated within the Fethiye District of the Muğla province. It had been built on the remains of the city of Karmiylassos of the antique Lycian Civilisation.

According to some sources it came into existance in the 11th century while others argue that the construction of the settlement began in the early 14th century.

In accordance with the Agreement pertaining to population exchange between Turkey and Greece, Kayakoyu’s population of Greek origin and the Turkish population of the Western Thrace reciprocally migrated in 1922.

There exist at present, around one thousand houses, two big churches, nine chapels, a number of workshops, school buildings, one hospital and a library each of which represents the authentic architecture of this pitoresque settlement.

A project was initiated with the aim of conservation of the heritage and refunctioning Kayakoyu for tourism purposes as the "PEACE and FRIENDSHIP VILLAGE"