Scandal two days before expert site inspection: Construction machinery enters Idyros Ancient City

Despite a construction ban, heavy machinery has been brought into the area within the national park boundaries that includes the Idyros Ancient City in Antalya's Kemer district. This development, occurring just two days before the expert site inspection scheduled for Friday as part of a lawsuit filed against the controversial hotel project planned for the region, has caused great concern due to the historical and archaeological nature of the site.

The Idyros Ancient City, which holds great importance for the history of Kemer and Antalya and whose full boundaries and secrets have yet to be revealed, is facing the threat of a hotel project. A large part of the ancient city, which should be treated and protected as a whole, has been allocated for hotel construction. While the struggle for protection waged by citizens against the relevant ministries has been taken to the judiciary, the entry of construction machinery into the area before the critical inspection by the court delegation has caused a backlash.

REMAINS FOUND IN OVER 190 TEST EXCAVATIONS

Since last February, more than 190 test excavations have been carried out by the museum directorate in the protected area allocated for hotel construction. Significant archaeological remains from the ancient period were encountered in some of these trenches. Experts and citizens monitoring the region point out that the uncovered remains are concentrated especially in the area between the historical bath and the Roman bridge.

CITIZENS DOCUMENTED REMAINS WHERE OFFICIAL INSTITUTIONS CLAIMED "NONE EXIST"

One of the most striking allegations regarding the process concerns the attitude of official institutions. It is stated that the relevant institutions have issued reports for the upper sections of the allocated land claiming that "there are no remains." However, citizens examining the area have reached findings that contradict the institutions.

It has emerged that numerous archaeological remains, identified, photographed, and documented by citizens, are located very close to the Ertuğrul Bastion in the region.

"A HOLISTIC APPROACH IS ESSENTIAL"

The boundaries of the Idyros Ancient City, located in the coves and slopes within the national park, are still not fully known. Experts and environmental activists emphasize that instead of being sacrificed piece by piece to hotel projects, the area must be urgently placed under protection through a comprehensive archaeological study.

While the court inspection to be held on Friday is of vital importance for the future of the ancient city and the national park, the potential damage that the construction machinery brought into the area could cause is being followed with concern.

News Source: 12punto