Excavations reveal history in Gaziantep

Archaeological excavations have been ongoing in four different spots in the southeastern province of Gaziantep, which is one of the oldest settlements in the world. 

Italian Nicolo Marchetti is the head of the Karkam?? excavations while German Engelbert Winter leads the Dülük excavations. Meanwhile, American David Scholen is leading work in Zincirli Höyük and Turkish Ankara University Professor Kutalm?? Görkay is the leader of the ancient city of Zeugma's excavations. 

The highlights of the excavations include the Gypsy Girl mosaic, unearthed in Zeugma, which dates back to 300 B.C. and the biggest stela (a stone or wooden slab erected as a commemorative monument) of the Babylon King Nebuchadnezzar, which was found in Karkam?? and dates back to 3,300 B.C.

In the ancient city of Dülük, with settlements dating back to 6,000 B.C., stela and temple remains were unearthed. Ruins of historic buildings and the walls and foundation of a palace were among the findings unearthed in the 5,000-year-old Zincirli mound. 

History of the region revealed 

The Provincial Culture and Tourism Director Ergun Özuslu said Gaziantep and its vicinity were extremely rich in terms of archaeology. 

"Works in environmental arrangement have continued to open these historic places to tourism. The archaeopark work in Karkam?? will end this year. Excavations continue non-stop in the temple area of Dülük. These successful excavations reveal the history of the southeastern region," he said. 

Özuslu said they tried to establish new fields to meet the needs of tourists, as all the ancient areas in the city would open to tourism. 

He said that they also focused on promotional work, via brochures and websites, where they ...