Unveiling the "Golden Age" display of Turkey's historical artifacts, per the announcement by President Erdogan.
In the heart of Ankara, the Presidential Nation's Library plays host to a remarkable cultural event - the "Birth of a Vision: Golden Age of Archaeology" exhibition. This spectacular display brings together over 150 rare artifacts, many of which are being shown to the public for the very first time.
At the centre of this exhibition is a stunning bronze statue of Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius, trafficked out of Turkey in the 1960s and later held at the Cleveland Museum of Art. After 65 years abroad, the statue has returned to its homeland, making its Turkish debut in this exhibition.
The exhibition is part of the "Heritage for the Future" initiative and represents a strategic cultural move. It combines exceptional artifacts unearthed from archaeological excavations in Turkey with important cultural assets repatriated from abroad. This reunion of artifacts is described by the Culture and Tourism Minister as a powerful diplomatic tool reflecting Turkey’s cultural future.
The event coincides with a three-day international symposium in Ankara, hosting over 250 scholars, including international and academic speakers, underscoring its scholarly and cultural significance.
The maritime archaeology gallery is a standout feature, showcasing items salvaged from shipwrecks, including glass cargo and a copper ingot retrieved from a depth of nearly 40 meters. The gallery reinforces the importance of preserving Turkey's underwater heritage.
The exhibition also highlights Turkey's commitment to protecting cultural heritage from illegal trafficking. Since 2002, Turkey has secured the return of 13,291 historical artifacts to their homeland. A newly uncovered statue of a woman, recovered by security forces before it could be smuggled out, is a compelling display in the "No Escape" section.
The exhibition is not just about bringing back smuggled artifacts but also underscoring the importance of preserving heritage at its source. Among the many treasures on display, a complete Eastern Roman iron body armor, a helmet from the Urartian kingdom, and a rare Ottoman coin attributed to Sultan Murad I, lacking a father's name, are particular highlights.
Moreover, the exhibition includes ancient bronze fragments, melted down for reuse in everyday objects and coinage, in a section called "The Extraordinary Finds of a Recycling Workshop from Metropolis."
Cultural and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy added to the excitement by retrieving a copper ingot from a shipwreck during a dive in Adrasan, which is now part of the exhibition.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has stated that Turkey leads the world in archaeological discoveries, and this exhibition is a testament to that claim. The "Golden Age of Archaeology" exhibition is a must-visit for anyone interested in the rich history and culture of Turkey.
- The magnificent bronze statue of Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius, originally from Turkey, is prominently displayed in the "Birth of a Vision: Golden Age of Archaeology" exhibition in Ankara.
- The "Heritage for the Future" initiative, of which the exhibition is a part, is a significant cultural move, merging Turkish archaeological finds with repatriated assets from abroad.
- The international symposium in Ankara, hosting over 250 scholars, emphasizes the scholarly and cultural significance of the exhibition.
- Maritime archaeology takes centre stage with the maritime archaeology gallery, showcasing items salvaged from shipwrecks, providing a view into Turkey's underwater heritage.5.Turkey's ongoing efforts to protect cultural heritage from illegal trafficking are underscored as the exhibition features a newly uncovered statue of a woman, prevented from being smuggled out by security forces.
- Along with smuggled artifacts, the exhibition highlights the importance of preserving heritage at its source, showcasing treasures such as an Eastern Roman iron body armor, an Urartian kingdom helmet, and a rare Ottoman coin attributed to Sultan Murad I.
- The exhibition also presents ancient bronze fragments, melted down for reuse in everyday objects and coinage, introducing visitors to the recycling workshop from Metropolis.
- President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reaffirms Turkey's leadership in archaeological discoveries, with the "Golden Age of Archaeology" exhibition serving as a compelling testament to this claim.
- The "Golden Age of Archaeology" exhibition, featuring over 150 rare artifacts, is a must-visit for anyone interested in appreciating Turkey's rich history and culture.
- This tourism-driven cultural event in the heart of Ankara also offers insights into Turkey's economy, education, lifestyle, fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, home-and-garden, technology, travel, general news, sports, and even casino-and-gambling sectors, providing a holistic portrayal of contemporary Turkish society.
