The sunken ships of the Marmaray are getting ready to be exhibited: The conservation process of 8 sunken ships that were found in Yenikapı during the archaeological excavations carried out within the scope of Istanbul Marmaray and metro projects and moved from the land in 37 years continues.
During the archaeological excavations carried out within the scope of Istanbul Marmaray and metro projects, the conservation (making the works ready for exhibition) of 8 sunken ships that were found in Yenikapı and moved from the land in 37 years continues.
Head of the Department of Protection of Underwater Cultural Ruins of Istanbul University (IU) Literature Faculty and Head of IU Yenikapı Shipwrecks Project Assoc. Dr. Speaking to Anadolu Agency (AA), Ufuk Kocabaş reminded that 37 sunken ships found in Yenikapı during the archaeological excavations carried out within the scope of Marmaray and metro projects were completed in 8 years.
Kocabaş stated that IU experts removed 2005 of the shipwrecks unearthed during the Yenikapı rescue excavations in 2013-27 by making continuous documentation studies, and said that last year, the post-excavation documentation, conservation-restoration and analysis studies of the shipwrecks were focused on at the IU Yenikapı Shipwrecks Research Center.
Kocabaş, which draws attention to the fact that tens of thousands of archaeological artifacts in the Middle Ages, as well as tens of thousands of archaeological artifacts in the Middle Ages, and the world's largest medieval boat collection have been brought to the country, continue to carry out scientific studies on the remains of the sunken ships. restoration may take many years.
Pointing out that similar excavations, which unearth the world's largest collection of archaeological shipwrecks, were also carried out in urban centers that stand out with the historical texture of Europe, Kocabaş said, “The first things that come to my mind are Pisa in Italy, Naples, Rome, Oslo in Norway, Sofia in Bulgaria. , Athens in Greece, Thessaloniki, Marseille in France, Copenhagen in Denmark, Amsterdam in the Netherlands, London, Liverpool in England. What makes Yenikapı special among them is the qualities of the shipwrecks as well as the rich stratification. At the same time, we came across the capital port and artifacts worthy of its splendor, ”he said.
Kocabas, who gave information that they planned to replicate the Yenikapı 12 shipwreck but had a shortage of allowances, said:
“Yenikapı, dated to the 9th century AD, is a commercial ship that has reached the present day in a very good condition with its 12 shipwrecks. The ship, about 10 meters in length, is thought to have been used in coastal trade and sank in Thedosius Harbor during a severe storm. The reconstruction of the ship will draw attention to the rich maritime culture of the city and will provide an opportunity to witness the thousand-year-old maritime traditions. We are talking about a process that has very technical steps and requires detailed and meticulous work. The wreck was excavated in 2007 and we are now approaching the final stages of conservation. "
"Boat illustrations and animations have been prepared"
Kocabaş stated that Yenikapı 12's desalination procedure continued in 2007-2009.
Kocabas, said:
“This salt can cause deterioration by reacting with the chemical material used in conservation, especially during the exhibition phase. In the excavation laboratory, the wooden elements of the boat were Asst. Assoc. Dr. It was drawn in real dimensions in 3D computer environment by Can Ciner, under the supervision of Işıl Özsait Kocabaş. As a result of the detailed analysis on woods within the scope of the doctoral thesis prepared by Kocabaş, a lot of information was obtained such as the standard units used in the construction, the signs of the builder, the tools he used, where the wooden element was obtained from the tree. The dimensions of Yenikapı 12, the shape of the lost parts and design principles have been determined.
According to these data, restitution drawings of the boat were made. Later, these drawings were labeled and illustrations and animations were prepared showing the condition of the boat on the sea and in the harbor. "
IU Faculty of Forestry Faculty Member Prof. Emphasizing that Ünal Akkemik prepared a wooden map of the shipwreck, Kocabaş said that the conservation of the water-saturated wood of the wreck is continuing and a doctoral dissertation is being prepared.
Kocabaş beginning of next year Yenikapi 12, Turkey for the first time sharing the information would be ready for exhibition by freeze-drying equipment used by the IR team, "ie parts of the reconstruction of the wreck after the completion of this transaction may be exhibited by combining the individual skeleton. As Turkish scientists, we carry out a long and laborious process by giving the right to all procedures and we carefully implement all the technical steps that need to be taken. The time from excavation to exhibition is expected to be 12-9 years for Yenikapı 10 ”.
"We aim to complete the conservation of at least two shipwrecks every year"
Kocabas, all the wreckage will be conserved, but not all of the 37 ship will be exhibited by highlighting, according to some criteria to make a selection of certain wrecks will be exhibited.
The Istanbul Archeology Museums, who worked on this issue, and Dr. Emphasizing that he thinks that the collection will be prepared by taking the opinions of Cemal Pulak, Kocabaş said, “It is important to display the grandeur of the collection that it is not less than 10-15 ships. In fact, the conservation work of Yenikapı 36, one of the shipwrecks in the excavation area, was completed in 2014. This was one of the most degraded shipwrecks in the area, and therefore, conservation-repair operations were completed by handling this shipwreck first. From now on, we aim to complete the conservation of at least two shipwrecks every year, ”he said.
Pointing out that Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Kadir Topbaş gave great importance to the subject and had museum projects prepared, Kocabaş said, “I also attended several meetings as an academician who gave lectures on this subject, and studied many underwater archeology-maritime museums in technical terms. and conveyed my views. I hope the museum created will be a multi-layered structure that sheds light on Istanbul's history, archeology and maritime ”.
"American scientific circles are very interested in such big projects"
Kocabaş reminded that they organized an "America tour" in 2012 to explain the project.
Kocabaş said, "I traveled around America and gave 22 lectures in 14 days about Yenikapı and the wrecks".
“I had the opportunity to speak in important science centers, universities and museums of America. Harvard University-Dumbarton Oaks, Smithsonian Institute, Texas A&M University, The Museum of History in Raleigh, Ocean Institute (Dana Point), UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles) some. Apart from that, I had conferences in Toronto and Ottowa upon the invitation of our Canadian Embassy and at the Science Museum with the invitation of our Consulate General in Houston. In April, with the invitation of our Consulate General in Boston, I will give 3 more conferences, including Harward University Art History and the United Nations Association of Greater Boston.
American scientific circles are very interested in such big projects. In these conferences, I explain the scientific side of the project, and I think I also contribute to the promotion of the country. While this giant infrastructure project continues in Yenikapı, I have the opportunity to emphasize once again the support given by our state and the importance it attaches to antiquities and culture. "
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