Mersin’s hidden treasure Adamkayalar under threat
Adamkayalar, Mersin’s hidden treasure, is in danger of disappearing due to the destruction of treasure hunters. Prof. Dr. Murat Durukan, Head of the Department of Archaeology at Mersin University Faculty of Arts and Sciences, asked for the Adamkayalar reliefs to be brought to the status of an archaeological site and security measures to be taken as soon as possible.
The Adamkayalar reliefs, Mersin’s hidden treasure, are under threat from treasure hunters.
It is difficult to reach the Adamkayalar reliefs consisting of 11 men, 4 women, 2 children, a mountain goat and an eagle, which are among the important archaeological values in the Şeytan Deresi Canyon in Erdemli district, because it is located on a steep slope.
Enthusiasts, who reach Adamkayalar by passing through the rocks where even goats can hardly descend, immortalize this moment by capturing it with cameras.
TREASURE HUNTERS PLUNDER
Despite all these difficulties, the Adam kayalar region is being plundered by treasure hunters, although no historical remains have been found so far.
“AS IMPORTANT AS GÖBEKLİTEPE”
Stating that Adam kayalar, located 60 kilometers west of the city, is an extremely important tourism attraction, Prof. Dr. Murat Durukan, Head of the Department of Archaeology at Mersin University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, said that the region is still not protected because it has not gained the status of an archaeological site.
“Adam kayalar is as important as Nemrut, as important as Göbeklitepe,” Durukan said, adding, “Therefore, Adam kayalar should be given the status of an archaeological site as soon as possible. A project needs to be prepared and implemented immediately. There is no large-scale tourism activity in the city yet. The biggest reason for this is the lack of tourism attraction areas. Adam kayalar is the point that can eliminate this deficiency. The facility, security measures, camera and lighting system to be built in the region will make Adam kayalar a special place. These are very simple projects. If we realize them as soon as possible, we can say that both Mersin and Anatolia can gain a new tourism attraction area.”
