Professor Cengiz Iþýk, Head of Excavations at the Kaunos Arrchaeological Site, has announced that a new project based on nano technology has been developed for the restoration and protection of the ancient rock tombs in Dalyan in the Aegean province of Muðla’s Ortaca district.
The project will be submitted to TÜBITAK and it is the first time Turkey’s cultural assets will be restored using nanotechnology.
Professor Cengiz Iþýk has stated that the proposal to restore the ancient rock tombs was made in 2010 during the trip of Ertuðrul Günay, Minister of Culture and Tourism to the rock-cut tombs in Dalyan. It was followed by the formation of the Scientific and Technological Council of Turkey, or TÜBITAK’s Support Program for Research Projects of Public Institutions.
Iþýk has mentioned that the project involves application of exclusively developed powder on the surfaces of the rock in square centimeter dosages. He added that the powder comprises nanoparticles that are specifically developed to be chemically stable with rocks and will be utilized to remove dirt, refurbish and secure the exteriors of the rock tombs.
Currently, visits to the rock tombs in Dalyan are banned due to a continuous risk that visitors might fall from the big and small rocks found in the inclined area. It was reported that these bans will exist till proper precautions are implemented.
Kamil Özer, Director of Muðla Culture and Tourism, has declared that efforts for protecting Fethiye’s Telmossos Ancient Theater has also started. The theater can accommodate 5000 persons and it was built during the early Roman period. He mentioned that the Protection Committee for Muðla Culture and Environmental Assets for the Telmessos Theater refurbishment projects have authorized the refurbishment and restitution projects. He added that funds for the refurbishment projects will be ready by this year.
Özer has said that the number of visitors to the wrecks is expected to increase by this year. He mentioned that 12 excavations are currently in progress and they are likely to increase to 13 in 2011. He added that they hope that the refurbishment projects can effectively restore wrecks. It was reported that proposals for protecting the Amnytas and Ion rock tombs in central Fethiye are also in progress.
Source: http://www.kulturturizm.gov.tr