Ten percent of archaeological works on display at museums

As of 2020, the number of artworks registered in museum inventories is close to 3.5 million, according to Yahya Coşkun, the deputy director-general of the Cultural Heritage and Museums.

Stating that 90 percent of the artworks registered in the museums are being kept in storages, Coşkun said the works on display make up only 10 percent of all relics.

Speaking to the Demirören News Agency, Coşkun said that 504 museums within the body of the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage and Museums are diverse and include archeology and ethnography, history, thematic, city, memorial museums and house museums of key figures.

Stating that museums are indispensable for the preservation of cultural heritage, cultural sustainability and building a collective memory, Coşkun said that the number of private museums under the control of the ministry was 94 in 2005, and increased to 300 in 2021.

Emphasizing that Anatolia is one of the most ancient lands of the world, Coşkun said, "There is no doubt that we are hosting the most qualified and special finds in the world, but our museum culture and archaeological studies started a little late."

Stating that Anatolia is a "museum country," Coşkun said, "Turkey is the land of immovable beauties. No matter what number we reach, it may seem incomplete, but now we open new museums of high quality every year. The museums we open compete with the giant ones in the world and receive awards."

Coşkun said thousands of artifacts found in archaeological excavations, donated and unearthed by citizens every year come to the museums, adding that the artifacts are kept in museums by creating the necessary protection conditions. "The number of artifacts registered in the inventory of...