Saving secrets of antiquity
Plans for an underwater research centre and museum in Gazimağusa to house newly discovered archaeological discoveries in North Cyprus waters were announced this week alongside a university training programme and proposed dive restrictions in research area
A WEALTH of underwater finds in the Gazimağusa area and a boom in unregulated tourist diving has prompted plans for a new underwater archaeology museum and research centre in the town which will be accelerated next year.
Director of Antiquities Fuat Azimli said: “First studies have revealed a shipwreck, amphorae, stone anchors, copper ingots, wooden ship remains, various ceramic artefacts, millstones and cut pier stones.”
He added that a conscientious citizen had contacted his department to report the site.
Tourism Minister Fikri Ataoğlu announced the plans this week which include a new agreement to be signed by the Directorate of Antiquities and Museums and Cyprus International University.
A programme of training for qualified personnel will be headed by local archaeologist Müge Şevketoğlu in tandem with a leading underwater research institute in Turkey.
Dr Şevketoğlu, head of the Tatlısu-Çiftlikdüzü site where remains of a 10,000year-old settlement have been found and are being developed as a “Neolithic village” — as documented in Cyprus Today last month — will also lead the training programme of qualified personnel for underwater work including detection and evaluation, excavation techniques, measurements, documentation, photography, safety and the ethics of archaeology.
Training will also take place at prominent underwater research centres in Turkey
The current finds and as-yet-undisc ered treasures will be the responsibility North Cyprus’ first conservator Pem Özen, who heads the capital’s Centre for Restoration of Cultural Heritage, set up years ago by the Antiquities directorate.
The Eastern Mediterranean Universitytrained archaeologist said work had already begun but that artefacts should be removed from the sea as a last resort and required long soaking, to leach out sea salt, and carefully managed preservation.
Mr Azimli said: “We have full support which includes materials and extra personnel. We aim to complete in-service training activities for qualified personnel to give land and sea support by next year. Training programmes will continue from 2019 onwards. “The richness of finds, the risks associated with an increase in sea diving and tourism and an increase in denunciations has prompted this project.” Mr Azimli stressed that it was a crime under the Antiquities Act to undertake any actions on cultural heritage sites, on land or sea, without ministry permission. “Scuba diving bans will be introduced in consultation with local police in areas where research permission is granted,” he added. “Any such dives without permission will be viewed as illegal interventions.” Mr Ataoğlu said it was not his aim to restrict dive sports but to remind potential amateur looters of heavy penalties amid real concerns over the security of underwater relics during the summer dive season.
He said there were many foreign divers who did not use registered diving clubs, and cooperation with amateur dive schools could help to protect antiquities. Discussions would determine open and closed dive areas and the restriction of tourist diving to open areas.