Tourism-Travel-Cultural-History News etc

[Attila the Hun]

Turkey is located in southwestern Asia and fits roughly between 36° and 42° N and 25° and 45° E. It is bounded on the west by the Aegean Sea and Greece; on the north by Bulgariaand the Black Sea; on the northeast by Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan; on the east by Iran, and on the south by Iraq, Syria, and the Mediterranean Sea. The total area of the country is 780,580 square kilometers. The greater part of the country lies in Asia, specifically Asia Minor or Anatolia. About 8 percent of Turkey—called Turkish Thrace—is in Europe. Because of the mountainous terrain and the maritime influence, climates vary greatly. The country has three main temperate climates: Mediterranean on the south and southwestern coasts, Black Sea in the north, and steppe throughout most of Anatolia.

Thanks @T-123456 for this image.
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Demography. The population of Turkey in 1994 was estimated as 62,154,000. More than half the population lives in urban areas. Turkey has one of the highest rates of population increase in the world, as the result of a high birthrate, estimated in 1994 to be 25.98 births per thousand and an average death rate of 5.8 deaths per thousand. The current annual rate of growth is 2.02 percent. From 1923 to 1994, the population multiplied by approximately five. Large-scale migration to the cities since the middle of the century has led to overcrowding. In 1990, 65 percent of the population was urban. Istanbul is the cultural, industrial, and commercial center. Ankara is the capital. Other major cities are: Adana, Antalya, Bursa, Diyarbakir, Gaziantep, Izmir, Kayseri, Konya, and Samsun.

History and Cultural Relations
The origins of the Turkish peoples are among the nomadic and pastoral peoples who lived east of the Eurasian steppes from the borders of China across Turkestan. Their earliest appearance in history was in what would be today Outer Mongolia, south of Lake Baikal and north of the Gobi Desert. The Turks were once part of a group of Altaic peoples, which includes the Mongols, the Manchu, the Bulgars, probably the Huns, and others. The first group known to be called Turks emerged in the sixth century c.e. The Tu-Kiu founded an empire stretching from Mongolia and the northern frontier of China to the Black Sea. In the seventh century the Arab conquest of Persia carried Islam to the Turkish fringes of Central Asia. In the ninth century and later, many Turks were recruited as slaves for the ʿAbbāsid armies and converted to Islam. Some rose to important administrative positions. The larger portion of Turks, however, still being essentially nomadic in Central Asia east of the Aral Sea, did not accept Islam until the tenth century. Bands of Turks joined in the gradual war of attrition that was being waged by Muslim warriors along the frontiers with the decliningByzantine Empire. A tribe of Turks called the Oghuz (Oğuz) wrested control of Persia from the Ghaznavids and founded the Seljuk Turkish Empire in 1037. The Seljuks took control ofBaghdad from the Buyids in 1055. The Seljuk Turkish victory in 1071 over the forces of the Byzantines at Manzikert, northwest of Lake Van, led to the migration of Turkoman tribes into Anatolia. Within a very short time, the Seljuks had penetrated as far as Nicaea (present-dayİznik), only 80 kilometers from Constantinople. Although driven away from this city in 1097, their hold on eastern and central Asia Minor was firmly established. By the early twelfth century, most of the Anatolian plateau was a Seljuk principality, which came to be called Rum. The capital of Seljuk Rum was Konya, and in this city there developed a hybrid Islamic culture that combined elements of Arab Sunni Islam with Persian Shia Islam and Turkish mystical humanism. The invasion of the Mongols in the thirteenth century ended the dominance of the Seljuks in Anatolia.

The Ottoman principality of Sogut was one among ten successor-states that survived from the Seljuk Empire and the Mongol protectorate. In the 1290s the ruler of this principality was Osman, from whose name comes that of the dynasty: Osmanli in Turkish. Sogut was located on the Byzantine frontier, closest to Constantinople. As Osman's emirate expanded, it created both the territorial basis and the administrative organization for an empire. Osman's grandson, Murad I, crossed the Hellespont to extend the young empire into the Christian Balkan states. He applied the principle of toleration to allow non-Muslims to become full citizens and rise to the highest offices of state, and thus, at this very early stage, established the character of the vast multilingual and multiethnic Ottoman Empire. In 1453 Sultan Mehmed II conquered Constantinople, and the city's name was changed to Istanbul. In its first two centuries, most of the Ottoman Empire's energies had been directed toward Christian Europe; however, Selim I (r. 1512-1520), called "the Grim" by Westerners, turned his attention toward Asia. He transformed the Ottoman Empire from a Ghazi state on the western fringe of the Muslim world into the greatest empire since the early caliphate. Selim defeated the Safavids and moved fierce Kurdish tribes to eastern Anatolia to seal that border with the Persians. He defeated the Mamluks and took over their vast empire. The Ottomans became the rulers of Syria, Egypt and the Hejaz—the heartland of Arab Islam. At its peak, the Ottoman Empire stretched from the Persian Gulf to Algeria. The empire reached its cultural zenith under the son of Selim I, Süleyman I, "the Magnificent" (r. 1520-1566). His reign also marked an Ottoman cultural renaissance. A considerable poet in his own right, Süleyman encouraged the arts at his court. Like all great civilizations, the Ottoman absorbed and transformed various external cultural influences. The first sultans took from the Byzantines. Selim and Süleyman brought artisans from Tabriz, in western Persia, to beautify Istanbul. Under Süleyman, with the help of Sinan (the son of a Christian from Anatolia and one of the finest architects of all time), Istanbul became a city of true magnificence, at the point of confluence of Eastern and Western civilization. Immediately after Süleyman's death, the Ottoman Empire began to suffer a decline. In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries it lost several wars to the expanding Russian Empire. It did enjoy another period of cultural renaissance during the reign of Sultan Ahmed III (r. 1703-1730), which is called the Tulip Period. Some reform of the government was accomplished at this time. Nevertheless, the empire lost territory around the Black Sea and in the Balkans during the last part of the eighteenth century and first half of the nineteenth. Russian ambitions were checked by Great Britain and France in the Crimean War (1854-1856), but the Russo-Turkish War liberated Bulgaria, Romania, and Serbia from the control of the sultan. The Ottoman Empire was drawn into World War I, on the side of the Central Powers. With its defeat and the abdication of its last sultan, Mehmed VI, the empire finally collapsed. The Allies sought to divide Turkey among themselves after their victory, but the country saved itself by waging a war of liberation directed by the empire's most successful general, Mustafa Kemal (who would later take the surname "Atatürk"). Turkey made a remarkable recovery under Atatürk's leadership. He abolished the sultanate and the caliphate, and Turkey became a republic on 29 October 1923. It was declared a secular state, and religious toleration was guaranteed by the new constitution. Many other reforms were set in motion to modernize Turkey along Western lines. Turkey remained neutral during World War II, until it joined the Allies in February 1945. It joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in 1952. Turkey suffered political instability that led to military takeovers in 1960, 1970, and 1980. In 1982 a new constitution was promulgated that provided the reestablishment of democratic government.

Religion and Expressive Culture
Religious Beliefs and Practices. More than 99 percent of the population is Muslim, and most of them are Sunnites. Estimates of the number of Shiites fall between 5 percent and 35 percent of the population. There are approximately 50,000 Christians and 20,000 Jews in Turkey today. Villagers, although they are for the most part Muslims, continue to believe in superstitions like the evil eye, which is the ancient belief in the power of certain persons to harm or damage someone else with merely a glance. Beliefs in the power of jinn and efrit, as well as other supernatural phenomena, also persist in rural Turkey.

Ceremonies. Most Turks celebrate the two most important Islamic holidays. Ramazan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar; it is the holy month of fasting. Muslims celebrate the end of the fast with Çeker Bayrami (the Candy Holiday), during which visits of friends and relatives take place, and boxes of candy are taken as presents. Kadir Gecesi (the Night of Power) is the eve of the 26th of Ramazan. This is the night on which Mohammed was given the power of prophecy, and it is celebrated in the mosques by prayers and a nightlong service. Kurban Bayrami (the Festival of Sacrifice) comes during the month of Muharrem. If Muslims make a pilgrimage to Mecca, they must arrive there ten days before Kurban Bayrami. The pilgrimage ends when a sheep or a goat is sacrificed, and the meat is given to the poor. The sacrifice is performed whether the person goes to Mecca or stays at home. The Muslim calendar is based on twelve lunar months and is therefore ten or twelve days shorter than the solar year. This means that the months and the religious holidays fall a bit earlier each year. The Mevlevi dervishes, better known in the West as the Whirling Dervishes, are an order of Sufis that was established by the son of the great mystical thinker, Jalāl ad-Dīn ar-Rūmī, in the thirteenth century. Every year the Mevlevi dervishes have a ceremony in which they whirl for fifteen days before and on the anniversary day of Rūmï's death, which is 17 December.

Arts. Seljuk and Ottoman Turkish culture is rich—and well represented in museums like the ethnographic museums in Istanbul and Ankara. They include fine examples of calligraphy, rug weaving, ceramics, metalwork, and miniature painting. The weaving of carpets is an industry that dates among the Turks from Seljuk times. Much of the symbolism in the design of Turkish rugs and kilims is pre-Islamic and shares its origins with the Turkish people in Central Asia. Nevertheless, these rugs have become an important part of the prayer ritual in Islam. Turkish culture, since the establishment of the republic, has been dominated by nationalism. Writers, authors, and musicians have left the tradition of Islam. Turkish folk music and dancing are popular. The ministry of culture was established in 1971, and the government extensively supports a national network of the arts, encompassing theater, opera, ballet, music, and fine arts, as well as popular art forms.

 

[Attila the Hun]

Fuel support for tourist flights extended to year-end

The validity of the Culture and Tourism Ministry's decision to provide $6,000 in financial assistance to A group travel agencies for each charter flight carrying tourists to Turkey via scheduled and non-scheduled flights has been extended until the end of the year. This decision was published in the Official Gazette.

Accordingly, the earlier application amendment extending to Aug. 31 has been extended to the end of the year.

The tourism sector faced a downward trend in the number of tourists visiting after the Russian military jet downing crisis last November and several terrorist attacks in the country. As such, the government continues to take certain measures, such as providing financial support for flights, to support the sector to minimize the effects of the crisis.

Described as a fragile sector, tourism, which this year survived nearly every negative event that could be possibly experienced at once, saw a nearly 45 percent decrease in the number of tourists.

Relations between Russia and Turkey were frozen in November 2015 after Turkish jets downed a Russian Su-24 bomber near the Syrian border for violating Turkish airspace. In June, following the beginning of a normalization process between Moscow and Ankara, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the removal of restrictions on travel, including a ban on tour packages. Russia's travel ban caused Turkey's tourism industry to lose what some estimate to be billions of dollars. The number of Russian tourists travelling to Turkey dropped by more than 90 percent compared to one year earlier.

However, leaving behind a year in which many bad things occurred, the tourism sector is hopeful for 2017. Russia lifting its ban on chartered flights to Turkey, following the normalization process, is the main reason for this hope.

http://www.dailysabah.com/tourism/2016/10/22/fuel-support-for-tourist-flights-extended-to-year-end

 

[T-123456]

Istanbul is a major city in Turkey that straddles Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus Strait. Its Old City reflects cultural influences of the many empires that once ruled here. In the Sultanahmet district, the open-air, Roman-era Hippodrome was for centuries the site of chariot races, and Egyptian obelisks also remain. The iconic Byzantine Hagia Sophia features a soaring 6th-century dome and rare Christian mosaics.

The Ottoman-era Sultan Ahmet Mosque (Blue Mosque) was named for its blue interior tiles. Circa-1460 Topkapı Palace, home to Ottoman sultans until the 19th century, contains royal artifacts and rooms that once comprised a large harem. Nearby is the Spice Market and rambling Grand Bazaar. Spanning the Golden Horn estuary, atmospheric Galata Bridge is a popular fishing spot and leads to the city’s modern heart. The Galata area is known for its medieval tower and upmarket boutiques. Beyoğlu's stylish bars lie south of Taksim Square. The city's eastern, Asian side encompasses residential areas and waterfront districts such as Kadiköy.

Antalya is a Turkish resort city with a yacht-filled Old Harbor and beaches flanked by large hotels. It's a gateway to Turkey's southern Mediterranean region, known as the Turquoise Coast for its blue waters. Remnants remain from Antalya's time as a major Roman port. These include Hadrian’s Gate, built to honor the Roman emperor’s visit in 130 A.D and 2nd-century Hidirlik Tower, with harbor views.

The clifftop fortress neighborhood of Kaleiçi is the site of Yivli Minare, a 38m-high brick minaret, and narrow streets lined with centuries-old restored Ottoman homes. Antalya Museum houses a vast collection dating to early antiquity. Popular Konyaalti Beach is a long, pebbly stretch, while sandy Lara Beach is known for themed hotels and nearby Düden Waterfalls. Beyond the city lie ruins such as Aspendos’ preserved theater and Perge’s massive Greco-Roman stadium. Popular outdoor activities include golfing, diving and hiking the 500km Lycian Way footpath.

Cappadocia, a semi-arid region in central Turkey, is known for its distinctive “fairy chimneys,” tall, cone-shaped rock formations clustered in Monks Valley, Göreme and elsewhere. Other notables sites include Bronze Age homes carved into valley walls by troglodytes (cave dwellers) and later used as refuges by early Christians. The 100m-deep Ihlara Canyon houses numerous rock-face churches.

Some caves are now hotels in towns such as Ürgüp and Ortahisar. Other historical attractions include the Göreme Open Air Museum, a monastic center with stone-cut Byzantine churches ornamented with frescoes, and the multileveled Derinkuyu and Kaymakli underground cities. The craggy Üçhisar Castle, atop the highest land formation in the region, offers views from the summit, while hot-air balloons (operated by several local companies) survey the area from the sky. Rugged, multicolored canyons such as Rose Valley are favored for hiking. A major wine producer, Cappadocia is also home to many vineyards.

Ephesus is an ancient city in Turkey’s Central Aegean region, near modern-day Selçuk. Its excavated remains reflect centuries of history, from classical Greece to the Roman Empire – when it was the Mediterranean’s main commercial center – to the spread of Christianity. Southwest of Selçuk stands the House of the Virgin Mary, a pilgrimage site believed to be where Mary spent the last years of her life.

The ruins of the 6th-century Basilica of St. John mark the supposed burial site of the biblical apostle John. The Ephesus Museum exhibits classical art, notably mythological statues. At the Ephesus Archaeological Site itself, paved streets wind past squares, baths and monumental ruins. The massive Great Theatre, with 25,000 seats, was built in the 3rd century B.C. and later altered by the Romans. The hillside Terraced Houses were inhabited by the wealthy from the 1st century B.C. to 7th century A.D. The 2-tiered Library of Celsus dates from 117 A.D. The Temple of Hadrian was built before 138 A.D. for Emperor Hadrian’s visit.

 

[Attila the Hun]

Thanks brother @T-123456

2,000-year-old Roman bath discovered in central Turkey to be open for tourism

AA Photo

A 2,000-year-old Roman bath, also known as 'Basilica Therma,' located in Central Anatolian Turkish province of Yozgat is expected to be open to tourism in the next few years, officials have said on Saturday. The excavation site contains significant statues and Christian symbols from the early Roman period.

Work is still undergoing at the excavation site of the ancient thermal bath, which includes a semi-Olympic pool, as well as two other pools in Yozgat's Sarıkaya district.

According to Sarıkaya mayor Ömer Açıkel, the pools also contain thermal waters, which have healing properties for many disorders.

He noted that the water inside the pool is 48 to 49 degrees Celcius and is significant as it is one of the two such existing structures.

During excavations, archaeologists discovered statues of various goddesses from Roman and Greek mythology dating 2nd century AD, including a snake figure, which represents the goddess of health.

Meanwhile, archaeologists have also discovered a large Baptismal font with a cross on it, indicating that the premise had also been used as a religious center.

Açıkel noted that a joint project is being carried out to finalize the work at the excavation site and to open it as an archeological site for tourists as soon as possible.

Besides the aforementioned Roman-era remains, archaeologists have also discovered several written documents.

Work has been carried out for six years and is expected to be finished in the next few years.

http://www.dailysabah.com/history/2...ered-in-central-turkey-to-be-open-for-tourism

 

[Targon]

Roughly 900 years old Viking runes inside of Hagia Sophia

"Halfdan was here"

 

[Attila the Hun]

City of Pergamon, once the biggest metropolis, awaits history lovers

Pergamon in the western city of İzmir once had the tallest ancient theater and the second largest library in the ancient world as well as the first hospital, and is definitely worth a visit to discover these ancient civilizations

Home to dozens of civilizations, Turkey is among the must-see places for those who would like to discover the traces of ancient civilizations. Western Turkey is home to many holiday destinations and was once the cradle of Greek and Roman civilizations. The city of Bergama - known also by its ancient name Pergamon - draws many local and international tourists who come to see living proof of the ancient Romans, Seljuks and Ottomans who once lived on these lands.

My visit to Bergama was an unplanned one as we stopped the car while passing by Bergama. The town's entrance was not as I expected. I have no idea why I imagined even the entrance of Bergama would make me feel as I had been in an ancient city but it didn't.

A huge shopping mall called Olympos and Park Bergama dotted with poorly made, dilapidated homes welcome you at the entrance of Bergama. What you should do is open up your phone's navigation and search for the closest ancient site to find what you expect from Bergama. The nearest ancient site to the entrance is the Temple of Serapis, which is one of the biggest ancient artifacts of Old Bergama. Scores of temples and busts belonging to Serapis can be found on Anatolian lands. In Bergama, the temple of Serapis is called "Kızıl Avlu" (red yard) since the temple's remnants are just like red bricks today. So, when you open up your navigation, it is better to search for Kızıl Avlu instead of Serapis Temple.

After leaving Serapis Temple, the next stop is Acropolis, which is the peak of Bergama. Since it is an ancient site, you must pay TL 10 to TL 20 to enter. I suggest that you buy a "museum card" to enter the site if you plan to visit other museums in Turkey. With the card, you can visit nearly any museum in Turkey. Acropolis is located at the peak of Bergama, so a cable car has been built to easily reach the Acropolis. Using the cable, we arrived in Acropolis. The ancient site is divided into two regions: One is upper Acropolis and lower Acropolis. The division shows us the hierarchy in those times as noble ones lived in the upper Acropolis while the public lived in lower Acropolis.

The notable structures of Acropolis include a huge theater that has 10,000-capacity seating. The theater had the steepest bleachers of any known theater in the ancient world. It was built on the edge of a cliff. The Heroon, a shrine where the kings of Pergamon were worshipped, the Library of Pergamum, the Temple of Dionysus, the Sanctuary of Athena and Trojan are among other ancient remains you will see in Upper Acropolis. The library in Acropolis was the second best of Ancient Greek civilization.

In Lower Acropolis you will find a three-level gymnasium, the Temple of Demeter and the House of Attalus.

Pergamon Altar, a monumental construction built during the reign of Greek King Eumenes II in second century B.C., has mesmerizing remnants that were transferred to Berlin, Germany in the 1870s by Carl Humann and are believed to have been transferred without the approval of the Ottoman Empire. Today, the remnants are on display at the Pergamon Museum in Berlin.

Another ancient artifact that is sure to grab your attention in Bergama is Asklepion, a famous ancient medical center in the region. Known as the world's first psychiatric hospital, the waters here are believed to have been used to provide sacred treatments including psychotherapy, massage, herbal remedies, mud and bathing treatments. These waters were revered for their radioactive properties. Today, Asklepion is not considered a medical center but rather a huge spa facility.

How to get there: Those coming from another city than İzmir should land at Adnan Menderes Airport and go to the city center either via bus or metro. From the city center, take the bus from İzmir to Bergama which will take you near the middle of town. It is important to remember that Akropolis is at a high elevation so it is recommended that you take a taxi or a cable car instead of trying to walk.

Foursquare ratings

Acropolis: 9.1 / 10

Asklepion: 9.1 / 10

Pergamon Ancient Site: 8.6 / 10

http://www.dailysabah.com/travel/20...-the-biggest-metropolis-awaits-history-lovers

 

[Attila the Hun]

Derinkuyu Underground City in Cappadocia


Possibly one of man’s greatest architectural achievements is Derinkuyu underground city in the Cappadocia region of Turkey. Conspiracy theorists say aliens built it. They didn’t but regardless, a mass network of rooms, tunnels, and different levels that are away from sight, at either ground level or a bird’s eye perspective are worth seeing with your own eyes.

Sitting 18 miles away from the bustling city of Nevsehir, Derinkuyu meaning “deep well” is the biggest of roughly 35 underground cities in that district, although historians and experts say there are hundreds throughout Cappadocia and much more are still undiscovered.

The eight level compound reaching 55 metres underground may have been linked via a long tunnel to another similar settlement in nearby Kaymakli. The discovery of Derinkuyu underground city happened accidentally in 1963 when a cave wall collapsed revealing a passageway. From there, experts carried on and on to be finally amazed at the large size.

Visiting Derinkuyu Underground City

Descending down into the underground city, the first level housed animals, and an impressive stable even has niches in the rock walls to tie the animals up. Nearby is a large wine press, and descending further down into the underground city, we see the chapel, school, and living quarters. Here there was also a designated room to store the deceased since there was nowhere to bury them but likewise, they didn’t want disease to spread.

Large round mill doors that could only be opened from the inside guarded the entrance and other structures within the city. Ventilation shafts also provided air and a well supplied much-needed water.

Altogether experts say this city housed roughly 30,000 people but why would anyone build a city underground?

Although the cities were used as usual habitats in later years, the primary reason for their existence is protection against invaders of which the underground cities would have been extremely useful during the Arab raids and also for Christians fleeing from Roman persecution.

Other Underground Cities of Cappadocia, Turkey
Although Derinkuyu is the most famous and celebrated underground city of Cappadocia, many others exist, and roughly, 20 are open to the public. Kaymakli is very similar to Derinkuyu just smaller, while Mazi Underground City is unique in that as well as descending downwards, it also weaves its way to into a large rock above surface level. Read more about the other cities here.

When it comes to major attractions of Cappadocia, the churches are the first must-see, but underground cities should be 2nd on your list of things to do. Our 2-day mini Cappadocia tour does both and much more. Find out about it here.

 

[Attila the Hun]

Archaeologists Uncover 8,000-Year-Old Goddess Figurine in Central Turkey

OCTOBER 19, 2016

Earlier this year, a team of archaeologists digging at the Neolithic site of Çatalhöyük, in the Turkish region of Anatolia, made a stunning find. The figurine, carved out of limestone dating to between 6300 and 6000 B.C., stands out not only for the material and quality—artifacts previously discovered at the site had been sculpted of clay, and were seriously deformed by the time they were foun—but also for the craftsmanship. Though such figurines are traditionally associated with goddesses of fertility, the researchers believe it could also represent an elderly, influential woman in the ancient society. At the time the figurine was made, Çatalhöyük may have been in a process of transition from its famously egalitarian roots and sharing economy to a more stratified, hierarchal system based on an economy of exchange.

Excavations of the Neolithic settlement of Çatalhöyük began back in 1961, led by the controversial British archaeologist James Mellaart. After accusing Mellaart of smuggling priceless artifacts out of Turkey, the Turkish government cancelled his permit to dig in 1965. By that time, however, excavations had revealed a large settlement, with over a dozen layers of ruins.

Çatalhöyük remained largely untouched by archaeologists until 1993, when Ian Hodder, a professor of anthropology and classics at Stanford University, launched the Çatalhöyük Research Project. With the backing of the Turkish government, an international team of archaeologists and other experts from more than a dozen universities have continued to excavate the site in the decades since then. In 2012, UNESCO designated the settlement as a World Heritage Site.

A team of Polish archaeologists discovered the 8,000-year-old “goddess figurine” earlier this year, after hollowing out a large dwelling in the southern part of the Çatalhöyük site. The inhabitants of the ancient dwelling had deposited the figurine at the far corner of a platform built on top of earlier structures, next to an obsidian blade and close to another figurine of lesser quality, made from yellow limestone. Such placement suggests the figurine—which measures 6.7 inches tall (17 centimeters) and 4.3 inches (11 cm) wide and weighs in at 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds)—might have been positioned as part of some kind of ritual.

Goddess figurines were common to the era, and were crafted throughout southeastern Europe, the Middle East and Anatolia, the region in central Turkey where Çatalhöyük is located. The newly discovered figurine is particularly striking, the researchers say, not necessarily for its appearance but for its craftsmanship.

Despite oddly small hands and feet, the limestone figurine is well proportioned and shows knowledge of the human body. It’s also finely detailed, including rolls of flesh around the neck, arms and legs. In contrast with other goddess figurines, the woman’s arms are separated from her torso, and her protruding stomach is set off from the rest of the body by an undercut. Archaeologists think only a skilled artisan could have performed such detailed work, and only with the use of thin tools, such as flint or obsidian.

Lynn Meskel, a Stanford anthropology professor on Hodder’s team, and other scholars have suggested that the Neolithic figurines found at Çatalhöyük may not only represent goddesses of fertility, but also older women who achieved positions of influence in society. Being fat may have signaled a high social standing, as well as an advanced age, when the exertions of manual labor had been replaced by more sedentary religious and political duties.

Due to their revered position, such women might–or might not have–attained goddess status in the society. “In all egalitarian societies, older people have a special status and are venerated,” Hodder said in a statement. But, he continued, “Whether one can talk of these older people as ‘gods’ is a rather thorny issue.”

Whereas earlier generations of Çatalhöyük society were known to be egalitarian, with a shared economy in which resources were pooled, the researchers believe it may have transitioned to a more stratified, hierarchal society (more similar to that of ancient Rome, for example) around the time this figurine was crafted. As Hodder put it, “We think society was changing at this time, becoming relatively less egalitarian, with houses being more independent and more based on agricultural production.”

According to archaeologists, humans first settled in Çatalhöyük around 7500 B.C. The settlement reached its peak around five hundred years later, and would be abandoned by around 5700 B.C. The goddess figurine was discovered in the shallower layers of the site, suggesting that it was buried later in the lifespan of the settlement. Houses held central importance in Çatalhöyük, connecting present inhabitants with past generations through platforms built atop earlier structures. Previous generations actually buried human remains between the levels, while in the newer, shallower layers years no human remains have been found. Instead, the researchers believe, figurines like the newly discovered goddess may have served as intermediaries between the living and the dead.

 

[Attila the Hun]

Ghost fleet: Explorers accidentally find a graveyard of more than 40 perfectly preserved ancient shipwrecks at bottom of the Black Sea


In the depths of the Black Sea lies a landscape of complete darkness, where there is no light and no oxygen.

Archaeologists have long believed this 'dead zone' holds of a perfectly preserved graveyard of shipwrecks.

Now, a mapping expedition has proved them right, after accidentally uncovered more than 40 ancient shipwrecks from the Ottoman and Byzantine periods.

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More than 40 shipwrecks have been discovered from the Ottoman and Byzantine periods, many of which provide the first views of ship types known from historical sources. Pictured is a shipwreck from the Ottoman period


The expedition has been scouring the waters 5,900ft (1,800 metres) below the surface of the Black Sea using an off-shore vessel equipped with some of the most advanced underwater equipment in the world.

The vessel is on an expedition mapping submerged ancient landscapes which were inundated with water following the last Ice Age.

The project, known Black Sea Maritime Archaeology Project (Black Sea MAP), involves an international team led by the University of Southampton's Centre for Maritime Archaeology.

Professor Jon Adams, principle investigator on the project, said: 'We're endeavouring to answer some hotly-debated questions about when the water level rose, how rapidly it did so and what effects it had on human populations living along this stretch of the Bulgarian coast of the Black Sea.

'The primary focus of this project is to carry out geophysical surveys to detect former land surfaces buried below the current sea bed, take core samples and characterise and date them, and create a palaeoenvironmental reconstruction of Black Sea prehistory.'


The vessel is based on board the Stril Explorer, and carries some of the most advanced underwater survey systems in the world.

The researchers are using two Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) to survey the sea bed.

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The researchers used two Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) to survey the sea bed. These have discovered several wrecks, including this one from the Byzantine period (pictured)

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The wrecks, such as this one from the Medieval period, are astonishingly well preserved due to the anoxic conditions (absence of oxygen) of the Black Sea below 150 metres


One is optimised for high resolution 3D photography, while the other, called Surveyor Interceptor, 'flies' at four times the speed of conventional ROVs and carries an entire suite of geophysical instrumentation, as well as lights, high definition cameras and a laser scanner.

Since the project started, Surveyor Interceptor has set new records for depth at 5,900ft (1,800 metres) and sustained speed of over six knots (7mph), and has covered 1,250 kilometres (776 miles).

Among the wrecks are ships from the Ottoman and Byzantine Empires, which provide new information on the communities on the Black Sea coast.

Many of the colonial and commercial activities of ancient Greece and Rome, and of the Byzantine Empire, centred on the Black Sea.

After 1453, when the Ottoman Turks occupied Constantinople (and changed its name to Istanbul), the Black Sea was virtually closed to foreign commerce.

Nearly 400 years later, in 1856, the Treaty of Paris re-opened the sea to the commerce of all nations.

Professor Adams said: 'The wrecks are a complete bonus, but a fascinating discovery, found during the course of our extensive geophysical surveys.

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The Remotely Operate Vehicles captured the shipwrecks in stunning detail, including this intricate stern of a ship from the Ottoman period

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While the primary focus of the project is to carry out geophysical surveys, shipwrecks, including this one from the Ottoman period, have given new insights into how communities live on the shores of the Black Sea

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The exploration vessel is based on board the Stril Explorer, and carries some of the most advanced underwater survey systems in the world


'They are astonishingly preserved due to the anoxic conditions (absence of oxygen) of the Black Sea below 150 metres.

'Using the latest 3D recording technique for underwater structures, we've been able to capture some astonishing images without disturbing the sea bed.

'We are now among the very best exponents of this practice methodology and certainly no-one has achieved models of this completeness on shipwrecks at these depths.'


The researchers are using two Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) to survey the sea bed.

One is optimised for high resolution 3D photography, while the other, called Surveyor Interceptor, 'flies' at four times the speed of conventional ROVs and carries an entire suite of geophysical instrumentation, as well as lights, high definition cameras and a laser scanner.

Since the project started, Surveyor Interceptor has set new records for depth (1,800 metres) and sustained speed (over six knots (seven miles/hour)), and has covered 1,250 kilometres (776 miles).

A collection of more than 40 shipwrecks have been discovered and inspected, many of which provide the first views of ship types never seen before.

Among the wrecks are ships from the Ottoman and Byzantine Empires, which provide new information on the communities on the Black Sea coast.

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This Remotely Operated Vehicle, called the 'Work Class Supporter' is designed to capture high resolution 3D photography and video

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The project has been scanning the bottom of the Black Sea, and has so far covered 1,250 kilometres (776 miles)

 

[Attila the Hun]

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The Surveyor Interceptor 'flies' at four times the speed of conventional ROVs and carries an entire suite of geophysical instrumentation, as well as lights, high definition cameras and a laser scanner

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencet...yard-40-Ottoman-Byzantine-era-shipwrecks.html
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This is pretty amazing!

 

[Attila the Hun]

Endless summer in Antalya

The cradle of civilizations and one of the leading tourism destinations in Turkey, Antalya hosted the 53rd Antalya Film Festival last week. With all of the historical riches besides luxurious hotels and restaurants, the city mesmerized the attendants of the event


Antalya is the jewel of the Mediterranean and Turkey. The city, which is known as the cradle of civilization, has hosted a great number of cultures. The Lycians, Pamphylians, Pergamons, Romans, Byzantines, Seljuks and Ottomans all lived here, in succession. During the Hellenistic period, Pergamon King Attalus II told his soldiers, "Go and find heaven on earth for me." Thus, the soldiers of Attalus II showed him modern-day Antalya, which became a port town in a place of strategic importance for the region. So, the city is called "Attaleia," based on the name of Attalus, the founder of the town.

The regional cuisine of the city is as rich as its history. Whether it's a bean salad with tahini, a taurus salad, rice soup or a banana dessert, they will all catch your eye as they did mine as soon as I arrived here. If you're looking for homemade deliciousness, I recommend that you buy some orange jam to take home with you. During mid-November, you can pick delicious fruits and vegetables on local farms and even enjoy a dip in the ocean if the weather is right. I especially recommend the beaches located in the district of Konyaaltı where there is a beautiful mountain view reminiscent of the mountains of Vietnam. For those non-beachgoers, Antalya has many historical sites to offer such as Kaleiçi, as well as authentic cafes where you may enjoy a cup of tea or Turkish coffee. It is very enjoyable to take a brisk walk down the cobblestone streets, browse the local souvenir shops and taste scrumptious foods unique to the region.

Antalya, which is one of the leading cities on the Mediterranean in terms of tourism, is admired by visitors, thanks to its natural beauties and historic structures. Furthermore, it has left an enviable impression on international figures while hosting a range of cultural projects like EXPO 2016. World-renowned stars Elton John and Ricky Martin have been here, performing in the context of ongoing events hosted here. Thousands of people have been fascinated by world-class performers in Antalya, and I recommend that you visit the unique city soon to catch EXPO 2016 while it is still being held.

The most successful organization in Antalya in recent times is the 53rd International Antalya Film Festival. The festival, which featured a great number of international films and Turkish films, was held in the media sponsorship of Turkuvuaz Media Group. The event, just like the film festivals in France and the U.S., received a thumbs up from me. Antalya was covered in festival posters and event locations were adorned with unique designs. The locals showed incredible interest in the parade, which saw a large turnout and included vintage cars. Daily workshops and film screenings as well as the award ceremonies were absolutely worth seeing. By the way, the vintage cologne brand Rebul designed special cologne for the festival, which I loved. Furthermore, the T-shirts designed just for the festival were quite stylish. This international event was purely outstanding both in terms of foreign directors and producers as well as the stars, including Andie MacDowell and Harvey Keitel who jazzed up the event. For a moment, I thought I was in Cannes or at the Oscars. The week-long shows were highly appreciated by the local people along with foreign participants.

Two award ceremonies took place at the closing ceremony over the weekend. The first was held at the Rixos Land of Legends Hotel. This facility, a $1.2 billion massive investment, is a paradise for children. The facility, with an artificial beach and sea, waterslides, roller coaster, South African penguins, water tigers, diving school and a huge aquarium, is virtually an entertainment center. The rooms in the hotel section are divided into two, within the concept of "knight and princess." The chateau in the garden of Rixos Land of Legends offers a fascinating view. The canal flowing in the middle of the hotel allows for water shows and gondola rides. The first of the award ceremonies started with a magnificent show right over the water canals. Following the award ceremony, dinner was served in the garden of the chateau, with laser light shows all around. It was absolutely stunning.

The closing of the 53rd Antalya International Film Festival and main award ceremony was organized on the evening of Oct 23. The event that started with a spectacular red carpet ceremony took place at EXPO 2016. The stars of both Turkish and international films attended the event where the movie Mavi Bisiklet (The Blue Bicycle) was selected for the Best Film award. Short of that, it was both a successful event in terms of organization and a successful festival in the sense of film quality. I congratulate everyone who contributed in this event organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Metropolitan Municipality of Antalya. The festival, which employed a total of 1,800 people, has proven to be one of the works that our country will take pride in for 2016. I particularly congratulate Menderes Türel, the Metropolitan Mayor of Antalya, for all his contributions and support. Even with fall around the corner, visit Antalya and relax. This season could be ideal, as you can avoid the muggy summer heat. Do not miss this opportunity before the winter comes.

http://www.dailysabah.com/travel/2016/10/29/endless-summer-in-antalya

 

[Attila the Hun]

Culture minister informs about restorations and excavations

Culture and Tourism Minister Nabi Avcı met with the culture and arts editors of Turkish newspapers on Friday. During the dinner at Topkapı Palace, Avcı made important statements regarding the hot topics on the agenda. With regard to the frequently discussed issue of the demolition and reconstruction of Atatürk Culture Center (AKM), Avcı said the AKM building needs restoration and stressed that if it is not reconstructed, it will collapse as it is quite old. He noted that it is crucial to construct a new building to use as an opera house to meet Istanbul's culture and arts requirements.

Recalling that some art circles have opposed the AKM's reconstruction with concern, Avcı asserted that these concerns are not necessary and that projects related to the construction of an opera house will become a landmark in the most critical part of the city. He pointed out that such opposition had again emerged during restoration talks concerning Emek Cinema, which was reconstructed according to its original design to serve its purpose. He pointed out that some art circles show extreme reactions to issues such as the reconstruction of arts and culture venues and the state's presence in the field of art yet, that these concerns are baseless.

Another topic on the agenda that Minister Avcı talked about was the Ephesus excavations. Excavations have been conducted by Australians for 120 years. Avcı stressed that the excavations, which halted two months ago, can be successfully carried out by Turkish academics and archaeologists. He noted that Turkey is a historical paradise and Turkish teams are more than qualified to conduct excavations and research at historical sites in Anatolia.

Last Thursday, Minister Avcı opened the 16th Century Genius: Matrakçı Nasuh exhibition featuring Ottoman artist Matrakçı Nasuh's works as a poet, calligraphist and muralist in his Paris visits.

Indicating that Matrakçı Nasuh is one of history's hidden geniuses, Avcı said, "A famous Ottoman philosopher, mathematician and historian who lived in the 16th century, Matrakçı Nasuh is an important scientist and artists who also proved himself as a sportsman, poet, artist, painter, calligraphist and miniature artist."

Avcı said that during this exhibition, which depicts Matrakçı Nasuh's talents in various disciplines in art, visitors could follow the course of his expeditions via his miniatures and observe the Ottoman Empire's artistic, chronological and political atmosphere in the 16thcentury. He added that the exhibition was organized to commemorate Matrakçı Nasuh on his 450th anniversary for lovers of art and culture in Paris, Sarajevo, Belgrade, Istanbul, Vienna, Tokyo and Antalya - a crucial development in terms of promoting one of Turkey's precious values.

The exhibition, which will remain open until Nov. 10 in Paris, will later be moved to the Museum of Islamic Art in Washington in December.

http://www.dailysabah.com/history/2...er-informs-about-restorations-and-excavations

 

[Attila the Hun]

Button houses a popular touristic destination in Antalya

An architectural richness, historical button houses in Antalya's Akseki district attract about 50,000 tourists to the region each year

In a district of Antalya, 300-year-old button houses struggle to survive, situated in the district of Akseki 150 kilometers from the city. These unique buildings get their names from the wooden parts of the homes that were left outside to be used as scaffolding during their construction. Mostly visited by shutterbugs, button houses attract more and more tourists each year. In addition to the restoration and revival of the houses that challenged centuries, the number of tourists visiting the region has boomed.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency (AA), Akseki District Governor Murat Beşikçi said they look forward to the discovery of these pieces of art "button houses" by citizens and foreign tourists. Stressing that the geography of the region is essential in order to understand the structure of the button houses, Beşikçi said, "The Toros Mountains present highly challenging conditions for the people living in the region whose mountainous and rocky terrain make the life difficult. However, the Toros Mountains present values with which people can cope with these challenges. One of the most beautiful examples is the button houses."

Pointing out that button houses were mostly constructed as double-story buildings, Beşikçi said about 70-centimeter-wide stones were used in the walls and the main carrier of the building was made of wood. "Only wooden and stone materials were used in the construction of the button houses. Due to limited transportation access, locals preferred to use easy-to-find and practical materials,"Beşikçi said. "The people of Akseki created these houses by using their sharp wit. The construction begins by placing 2-meter-longmaterials vertically and horizontally. Later, by stockpiling, the gaps are filled with stones found in the region in abundance. Cedar and juniper trees which are easy to find in the region are preferred for the construction of the wooden frame. Cedar and juniper wood can last for long periods of time."

Indicating that about 20-to-30 centimeters of wooden materials used in the front façade of the stone walls were left hanging outside the walls, Beşikçi said these parts were called "buttons" by the locals. He stressed that these parts are used as scaffold during the construction.

Noting that there are about 500 button houses in Akseki, Beşikçi said they are registered and protected, noting that many neighborhoods featuring these houses have been declared archaeological sites. Stressing that the restoration works of the button houses have recently sped up, Beşikçi said some of the publicly owned button houses are restored with the allocations provided by Antalya Governorship Investment Monitoring Coordination Directorate and presented to the local and foreign tourists each year. "Privately-owned button houses are restored and brought into tourism along with Culture and Tourism Ministry's incentives and grants in accordance with the owners' demands," Beşikçi said, highlighting that while 50,000 tourists previously visited the region in 10 years, now, along with the restoration of the button houses, this number can be reached annually.

Akseki Mayor Mustafa İsmet Uysal said a conservation plan was arranged for the areas housing the registered buildings under protection. Stressing that the region is an important center for alternative tourism along with its untouched nature and climate in addition to its genuine architecture, Uysal said, "Sea and sun are not enough for Antalya tourism any more. We say, 'We are here' along with our original architecture, streets and stone-paved squares. We have a good team. We want to pass down everything belonging to the past to the next generation without suffering any losses. It is our only objective."Stating that they took inventory of the historical buildings in the region, Uysal said now it was time to restore the button houses. "We, as the municipality, want to restore and unearth the big and old mansions in Akseki as best as we can along with the support provided by the Governor's Office. Highlighting that there are about 300-year-old untouched villages, Uysal said when they are presented to humanity, then Akseki will get its deserved place in the alternative tourism sector .

Mustafa Kavasoğlu, a businessperson in Sarıhancılar Street full of button houses, said when he first arrived in 2010, no one lived in Sarıhancılar Street whose natural texture was not spoiled at all. Noting that he established an ethnography museum in the neighborhood, Kavasoğlu said he opened the museum last year following a nearly 30 years of preparation process. "We established a hotel and restaurant. We are making these investments in order to contribute to the cultural tourism. We need to present another alternative to the tourists aside from sea, sun and sand," Kavasoğlu said. "This neighborhood is a place where cultural tourism can be put forward and implemented in the best way possible. We hosted a few groups of tourists today and the attention gradually increases. I think this place will swarm with people in a couple of years."

http://www.dailysabah.com/travel/2016/10/31/button-houses-a-popular-touristic-destination-in-antalya

 

[Attila the Hun]

250-year-old Ottoman school restored without authorization

A 250-year-old Ottoman-era building in Istanbul’s Fatih district has undergone an unauthorized restoration, prompting investigations by authorities.

The Yusuf Ağa Sibyan Mektebi, an Ottoman-era elementary school, currently under the administration of the Independent Art Foundation, was concreted and painted with tile color on its external front.

When asked whether the General Directorate of Foundations, a body overseeing the restorations of historic buildings, was informed about the restoration, authorities said they had not issued approval for such an action. Fatih Municipality also said they did not permit the restoration and were not informed about it.

The usage rights of the building were given to Fatih Municipality in 2010, and were reportedly transferred to the foundation after it remained empty for years.

Permission needs to be taken from the board to paint and apply concrete to Group 1-listed historic buildings located in the historic peninsula of Istanbul. Such actions conducted without the board’s approval could result in legal sanction.

After daily Hürriyet initiated a probe on the unauthorized practice and informed the General Directorate of Foundation, the Istanbul regional office launched an investigation into the restoration. The teams found that the building had been subjected to physical interference without authorization, resulting in the suspension of construction.

“They have not inquired with us, and the interference on the exterior front is enough for it to be considered a physical intervention. The building was already the subject of improper intervention in previous years. What needs to be done is to remove the results of this interference on the building and make restorations that will preserve its original stone look. We will not allow this building to be painted either,” a preservation broad representative told Hürriyet.

Earlier in October, a story published by daily Hürriyet about deep crevices found in the treasury room of the Ottoman Topkapı Palace prompted authorities to act swiftly and begin a long-planned renovation work at the popular tourist site.

The discovery of the crevices prompted the partial closure of the Sultan Mehmed II (Conqueror) Pavilion, which showcases world-renowned treasures.

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/25...tion.aspx?pageID=238&nID=105572&NewsCatID=341

 

[Attila the Hun]

Tastes of culture: Anatolia's ceremonial dishes

Dolma

The splendid diversity of Turkish cuisine also reveals itself in ceremonial food. From weddings to newborn arrivals, celebratory meals, each symbolizing different meanings, still decorate tables in Anatolian towns

Anatolia is one of the world's oldest inhabited regions, having witnessed the rise and fall of numerous empires, such as the Hittites, who emerged around 1,600 B.C. It is the convergence point of two landmasses and in fact, its geographical position has been its biggest advantage in developing an influential culinary culture that has survived over thousands of years. Also helpful is the fact that for Turkish people, eating has always been a serious job!

From weddings to circumcision ceremonies and other holidays, whatever the festive display thrown by locals in Anatolia, each has its own rituals, most notably dishes typical of each occasion. In urban areas, many of these have already fallen into disuse, yet families in small villages enthusiastically conserve such traditions, observed with slight regional variations.

Wedding feasts

Compared to affluent wedding receptions, traditional village weddings are presumably the most fun. Some take as long as three days with dancing, music and lots of delicious food served to guests. Also seen in modern weddings, gold coins are attached to the bride's dress as a symbol of prosperity and luck.

Days before the big day, village women start to cook meals in large cauldrons, with cooking generally taking place outdoors. Neighbors and other villagers all join in various chores. A UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, the ceremonial "keşkek" tradition plays a big part among wedding dishes, as well as in circumcisions and some other religious holidays. A dish made of pounded wheat and meat, keşkek, is mostly served in central Anatolia and the Aegean region.The next course is Turkish wedding soup, a hearty dish typical of Anatolia. With its variations going back to the Ottoman period, the soup is made of mutton or lamb and is time-consuming if cooked for a large number of guests. The cooking method includes pulling apart the meat, discarding the bones and then adding lemon juice, flour and egg yolks.

In southeastern Turkey, on the other hand, stuffed grape leaves ("yaprak dolması") are the most common dish prepared at weddings or engagement ceremonies. Dolma spiked with hot pepper and tomato are cooked in large pots and served to guests.

In some central Anatolian villages, guests sit on their knees or crossed-legged around a large round tray ("sini") while the dishes are brought in on smaller trays. Other popular meals served at village weddings around Anatolia are rice with meat, okra soup, tarhana (a soup of curds and flour), chickpeas with meat, baklava and fruit compote.

Mourning ceremonies

Death rituals and funeral customs are traditionally diverse due to religion. In Turkey, where the majority of the population is Sunni Muslim, the deceased is remembered with prayers and ceremonial food. Usually, the set up for each funeral looks the same. At home, chairs are placed around the room and guests offer their condolences and quietly talk to each other.

A very sweet and dense confectionery of Assyrian origin, "halva" is made with flour or semolina and is cooked by the deceased's family and distributed among relatives, neighbors and the poor. Halva can be served on the day of burial, on the seventh and 14th days after, and also on the yearly anniversary. The dessert is a symbolic ceremonial food, exorcising death's bitterness through its sweet taste. In other Muslim countries, like Iran, halva is also served at funerals and mourning ceremonies.

Another mourning ceremonial food prepared mainly in small Anatolian towns is "lokma," a fried sweet dough soaked in syrup. Easy to make at home, lokma is cooked and shared among neighbors and family members on the seventh and 40th day after a funeral.

Welcoming newborns

Every newborn baby is a source of happiness not just for its mother and father, but also for relatives, friends and neighbors. Baby showers, colorful parties thrown for the mother and her friends to celebrate the expected birth, are becoming popular among Turkish families. Adorably-themed cookies, pastries, and gifts are all included at such events.

Back in Anatolia, when someone visits a new mother who has just given birth, the family members serve a traditional sherbet called "lohusa şerbeti" (puerpera sherbet), which is also consumed by the mother to increase lactation. Made from slabs of sugar flavored with spices and dyed red, the sherbet is believed to protect the mother from illnesses and bad spirits. Lokma is also served to celebrate the newborn.

Another interesting ceremonial food is "hedik" (boiled wheat). Guests are served hedik when the baby's first tooth appears. As it is made from wheat, the food symbolizes health and strength.

http://www.dailysabah.com/feature/2016/11/02/tastes-of-culture-anatolias-ceremonial-dishes