Studies have started to turn Yumuktepe Mound, whose history dates back 9 thousand years in Mersin, and whose excavations started 86 years ago, to be an open-air museum.
It was noted that the mound, which was landscaped by Mersin Metropolitan Municipality, will be opened to tourism when the works are completed.
Yumuktepe Tumulus in the central Tauruslar district of Mersin, which was a settlement in the Neolithic Age in 7 thousand BC, a new phase has started. While the first excavations in the mound were started in 1937 by the British archaeologist John Garstang, it has been determined that the mound has 33 residential floors. Lastly, the excavations conducted under the direction of Prof Dr Giulio Palumbi carried out studies related to the Neolithic and Chalcolithic periods. While the board decided to turn the mound into an open-air museum in 2021, work could not be carried out for a while due to the pandemic. Later on, Mersin Metropolitan Municipality started the landscaping for the museum. It was stated that when the ongoing works are completed, the area will be opened for the public to visit. Metropolitan Mayor Vahap Seçer also examined the work and received information from the authorities.
"This place is becoming an archaeovillage"
President Vahap Seçer, who made statements to the members of the press after the examinations, said that they were working on a 9 thousand-year-old history. Saying that Yumuktepe Mound is located in the heart of Mersin, Seçer said, "Here, we have the opportunity to see and get to know 9 thousand years of history and civilizations. During the archaeological studies, 33 layers were identified. Work has been going on in this area since 1937. Mersin hinterland is both a region that has hosted civilizations and a region where the accumulation of human history is intense. This area we are in is the place where the lands of the Middle East, Syria and Mesopotamia are connected to each other both by sea and by land. This place is not in the desired state. It is an area belonging to Mersin Metropolitan Municipality, but the first degree protected area is under the responsibility of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Necessary work has been done. Good work has been done here for a long time. This place is becoming an archaeovillage. A very valuable work is being done that can be brought to Mersin"
"When it's finished, it'll be a beautiful public sphere"
Noting that they are currently doing landscaping, Seçer said, " Archaeological studies are being carried out here, but under very difficult conditions. It is a problematic place in every respect. It is a place with no security. A huğ house is being built next door. In other words, we are building a house made of mud and straw, which was used as a living space during the ancient civilizations. When it's finished, it'll be a beautiful public sphere. It will be possible to visit a lot and we will have the opportunity to tell the history to our children here. Here, we will have the opportunity to make evaluations and retrospective determinations. Every point in this region is history. Of course, I cannot say that we are very sufficient in this regard, but important progress has been made. As a municipality, we are our management with this awareness and understanding. We want to preserve our historical values. Let's bring them to light. We want to put it at the service of mankind. We will continue this work. I would like to thank everyone who contributed."
Stating that they have done many things in the landscaping, Seçer said, "First of all, there was a security problem because there was great destruction on the walls of this mound. We are renovating the stairs so that our citizens can go here comfortably. Later, the area where the archaeological work was carried out will be covered. There will be areas for the display of findings. We will make this available to our citizens in a very short time."