Under the direction of Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University (ALKU) Faculty Member Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tuna Akçay, a comprehensive archaeological survey begins in and around the ancient city of Selinus, which is expected to shed light on the history of Gazipaşa.
Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University (ALKU), which continues the excavation work of Syedra Ancient City and supports the studies in Kibyra Ancient City; continues to carry out studies which shed light on the history of the region. With the permission of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, General Directorate of Cultural Heritage and Museums, Department of Excavations and Research, a comprehensive archaeological survey is being initiated in and around the ancient city of Selinus. The studies will be carried out under the coordination of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tuna Akçay, Vice Dean of ALKU Faculty of Tourism and Head of Tourism Guidance Department.
The research project, which is to take place with the participation of more than 50 expert academics, is set to last for three years and to cover an area of approximately 40 square kilometers. Within the scope of the studies, archaeological surveys, geographical information systems (GIS), assisted mapping and digital documentation techniques are going to be used to identify and record the cultural assets in the region. The historical texture of the ancient city of Selinus is going to be evaluated to cover the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine and Seljuk periods. During the field surveys, ancient structures, epigraphic data, architectural remains and archaeological objects in the city are expected to be examined in detail and new findings on waterways, burial structures, trade routes and military defense elements in the region are expected to be obtained.
RECTOR TÜRKDOĞAN: “AS ALKU WE CONTINUE TO SHED LIGHT ON HISTORY”
ALKU Rector Prof. Dr. Kenan Ahmet Türkdoğan reminded that excavations are continuing in Syedra Ancient City and said that the permission for archaeological survey for Selinus Ancient City aroused great excitement. Stating that the studies to be carried out in the Ancient City of Selinus will shed light on the history of the region, Rector Türkdoğan said, “As ALKU, we intend to continue to shed light on science and history. I would like to thank our Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy and ministry officials for their support. I wish success to our team who are about to start their work.”
STATE-OF-THE-ART TECHNIQUES ARE GOING TO BE USED
Providing information within the scope of the project, in which technological developments will be actively used, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tuna Akçay said, “In the project; we are going to benefit from the opportunities of Digital Archaeology, which we are trying to establish within ALKU as the main branch of science. The importance of the site in terms of archaeology, history and tourism is going to be revealed by applying innovative techniques such as unmanned aerial vehicle-assisted mapping, 3D modeling, lidar and laser scanning and geophysical methods. At the same time, gamification-documentation methods are to be designed by establishing a virtual universe in the area. Our team consists of many main disciplines and professors. Experts of every subject are included in our team. Turkey's most important Seljuk experts also take part in our team and the Syedra Ancient City team will also support our project. After the completion of the studies, the data obtained will be reported and shared with scientific publications and suggestions for the protection of the region will be presented. At the same time, with this data, projects and opportunities will be created that will touch the region. Thanks to this important development, an important step is going to be taken to protect the archaeological heritage in and around Gazipaşa and to bring it to tourism. Through meticulous studies conducted by academics, the cultural and historical potential of the region will be revealed in a controlled manner.
In addition, it is also to be evaluated with an understanding of sustainable tourism and archaeology. These archaeological studies to be carried out in and around the ancient city of Selinus not only contribute to the understanding of the historical value of the region, but also to support Gazipaşa to become more prominent in terms of cultural tourism in a controlled and thematic way. I would like to thank the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, General Directorate of Cultural Heritage and Museums, Department of Excavations and Researches and our Rector Prof. Dr. Kenan Ahmet Türkdoğan for supporting us in obtaining the necessary permits and at every stage of the study.”
