Historical tomb in Hasankeyf to be moved for protection

The 650-year-old Zeynel Bey Tomb, located in the historical Hasankeyf district of the southeastern province of Batman, will be removed in order to protect the artifact from the ongoing Il?su Dam Project which will eventually inundate the site.

Works to relocate the tomb have started due to the planned submersion, but Hasankeyf Mayor Abdulvahap Kusen is also concerned about the potential success of the relocation process.

"The tomb is expected to be reinstalled at a site near the region in 500 days. However, we are afraid about the potential incompatibility between the historic texture of the tomb and the site," Kusen said.

Because the tomb has cracks on its upper sections, Kusen stressed the effort to remove the structure could lead to a disaster that would represent a humiliation in the eyes of the world.

The Zeynel Bey Tomb, thought to weigh around 1,100 tons, is expected to be carried in a lattice in one piece.

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