ALKÜ will uncover the ancient city
Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University (ALKÜ), under the leadership of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tuna Akçay, is launching a comprehensive archaeological surface survey around the Selinus Ancient City, which will shed light on the history of Gazipaşa.
ALKÜ, which continues the excavation work in the Syedra Ancient City and supports the efforts in the Kibyra Ancient City, continues to make significant contributions to uncovering the region's history. With the approval of the Excavations and Research Department of the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage and Museums of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, a comprehensive archaeological surface survey will be conducted around the Selinus Ancient City. The work will be led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tuna Akçay, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Tourism and Head of the Department of Tourism Guidance at ALKÜ.
The research project, involving more than 50 expert academics, will last for three years and cover an area of approximately 40 square kilometers. The work will include archaeological surface surveys, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), supported mapping, and digital documentation techniques to identify and record cultural assets in the region. The historical structure of the Selinus Ancient City will be assessed in the context of the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, and Seljuk periods. During field research, it is expected that new findings will emerge regarding the region's water systems, tomb structures, trade routes, and military defense elements.
RECTOR TÜRKDOĞAN: "WE WILL CONTINUE TO SHED LIGHT ON HISTORY AT ALKÜ"
Prof. Dr. Kenan Ahmet Türkdoğan, the Rector of Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University (ALKÜ), recalled that excavation works are ongoing at the Syedra Ancient City and expressed great excitement about the approval for the archaeological surface survey at the Selinus Ancient City. He stated that the work to be carried out at the Selinus Ancient City will shed light on the region's history and said: "At ALKÜ, we will continue to shed light on science and history. I thank our Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, and the ministry officials for their support. I wish success to the team that will begin the work."
LATEST TECHNOLOGICAL TECHNIQUES WILL BE USED
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tuna Akçay, who provided information about the project, where technological advancements will be actively utilized, said: "In the project, we will benefit from the possibilities of Digital Archaeology that we are trying to establish within ALKÜ. Innovative techniques such as UAV-supported mapping, 3D modeling, LiDAR, laser scanning, and geophysical methods will be applied to reveal the importance of the region in terms of archaeology, history, and tourism. A virtual universe will also be created in the field, and gamification and documentation methods will be integrated into the project. Our team consists of experts from many disciplines, and we have specialists in various fields. Experts on the Seljuk period in Turkey will also be part of our team, and the Syedra Ancient City team will support our project. I wholeheartedly thank them for their support. After the completion of the work, the data collected will be documented in reports and shared through scientific publications, and suggestions for the preservation of the region will be offered. Additionally, projects and opportunities will be created that will touch the region along with these data. This important development will mark a significant step in preserving the archaeological heritage of Gazipaşa and transforming it into a tourist attraction. Through meticulous work by academics, the cultural and historical potential of the region will be revealed in a controlled manner. The project will also be evaluated with the concept of sustainable tourism and archaeology. The archaeological studies in the Selinus Ancient City and its surroundings will contribute to understanding the historical value of the region while supporting Gazipaşa’s increased prominence in cultural tourism from a thematic perspective."
