In the Eyyübiye district of Şanlıurfa, an illegal excavation operation conducted secretly inside a room of a house, reaching a depth of 25 meters, was halted by the gendarmerie. Two suspects, who were under surveillance by the Provincial Gendarmerie Command as part of efforts to protect cultural property, were apprehended in the massive pit they had dug in hopes of finding treasure [1].
A Mining-Like Setup Inside a Residence
The scene encountered by the gendarmerie teams during the raid revealed the staggering scale of the illegal excavation. It was determined that the suspects used not only picks and shovels, but also sledgehammers, projectors, motorized pulleys, and ventilation fans with gas masks to breathe at such depths [2]. The fact that such a deep shaft was opened inside a residential building seriously endangered both public safety and the archaeological layers of the region.
Şanlıurfa, with its history spanning thousands of years, remains a frequent target for treasure hunters. Experts state that such unauthorized interventions do not only damage portable objects but also destroy archaeological stratification, making it impossible to interpret history through scientific methods [3]. Legal proceedings have been initiated against the detained individuals for violating 'Law No. 2863 on the Protection of Cultural and Natural Property.'
While security forces in the region increase their inspections against antiquities trafficking, they continue to warn citizens that such illegal activities cause irreversible damage to cultural heritage.
Sources and further reading
- [1] Şanlıurfa'da gömü bulmak için 25 metrelik kuyu kayan 2 ...
- [2] Şanlıurfa'da Evde 25 Metrelik Kaçak Kazı Tespit Edildi
- [3] Şanlıurfa'da akılalmaz define arayışı! Evlerinin içinde 25 ...
Image & News Source: Arkeolojikhaber / arkeolojikhaber.com