Amphora fields at risk, experts assert
Güncelleme Tarihi:
Hürriyet Daily News
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Şubat 06, 2009 00:00
BODRUM - Marine experts call for better attention to amphoras in Bodrum.
"Yassıada and Yalıkavak which lodge lots of amphora should be taken under control. There should be amphora parks and open to tourism" said Oğuz Alpözen, the former general manager of Bodrum Underwater Museum, which has the largest amphora park in the world. Turkey’s last amphora maker Bora Sencer also emphasized that these amphora, which are used as food containers, should be protected.
Stating that almost 99 percent of 3,000- to 5,0000-year-old amphora lying under the water along the coasts of the Aegean and Mediterranean seas and face being plundered, Doğan news agency quoted Alpözen, He said this unfortunate situation should be stopped. Alpözen said Kaş coast, Bodrum's Turgutreis offshore, and the Yassıada and Yalıkavak coves all have amphora fields that are at risk. "Amphora were first used 5,000 years ago and are still known and used as earthenware water jugs in Anatolia and they are very important historical artifacts. Most amphora are still underwater near Çanakkale and Antalya. These amphora are being plundered because the related ministry has not taken the necessary steps to protect and pay attention to underwater excavations. Remember, it is thanks to amphora found by fishermen that we discovered the Uluburun, wreckage of the world’s oldest sunken ship. The ministry should take action to protect these areas and open amphora parks to tourism."
Sencer also said amphora is the best container for protecting and cooling foods and has never lost its importance. He said they were being sold easily.
Stating that almost 99 percent of 3,000- to 5,0000-year-old amphora lying under the water along the coasts of the Aegean and Mediterranean seas and face being plundered, Doğan news agency quoted Alpözen, He said this unfortunate situation should be stopped. Alpözen said Kaş coast, Bodrum's Turgutreis offshore, and the Yassıada and Yalıkavak coves all have amphora fields that are at risk. "Amphora were first used 5,000 years ago and are still known and used as earthenware water jugs in Anatolia and they are very important historical artifacts. Most amphora are still underwater near Çanakkale and Antalya. These amphora are being plundered because the related ministry has not taken the necessary steps to protect and pay attention to underwater excavations. Remember, it is thanks to amphora found by fishermen that we discovered the Uluburun, wreckage of the world’s oldest sunken ship. The ministry should take action to protect these areas and open amphora parks to tourism."
Sencer also said amphora is the best container for protecting and cooling foods and has never lost its importance. He said they were being sold easily.