Turkey, innovative rooftop in Karahantepe will protect 5,000 sqm of archaeological excavations

A new chapter in archaeological heritage preservation is opening at Karahantepe, a site in southeastern Turkey. Among the hills of Şanlıurfa, there are traces of a civilization dating back to the ninth millennium B.C., and to ensure the protection of the structures, the Turkish government has launched an ambitious project under the Heritage to the Future initiative. In fact, a 5,000-square-meter protective cover will allow the remains to be protected without compromising the integrity of the site.

The announcement came directly from the Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, who on social media described the historic preservation intervention as "a big step with the Heritage to the Future project in Karahantepe."

“An area of 5 thousand square meters will now be protected without damaging its natural texture. Karahantepe is the common heritage of humanity, and we are determined to carry on this legacy for generations to come,” he said, stressing the importance of protecting the site.

A key site for human history

Karahantepe is part of the larger research project involving Göbekli Tepe and other sites in the Şanlıurfa area, which are considered among the oldest known monumental complexes(more on the site here). Here, public buildings decorated with human and animal sculptures have emerged among the excavated structures, depictions that reveal aspects of spirituality and society of a time when agriculture was still in its infancy. The importance of the site was further confirmed by the discovery last summer of a figure depicting a wild donkey.

The need for adequate protection therefore became urgent. Weathering and exposure, in fact, threaten the preservation of the structures, making it necessary to take action to ensure both protection and the possibility of continuing excavations unhindered.

A roof that protects without altering

A central part of the Heritage to the Future project is the construction of a protective roof, designed to fit harmoniously into the landscape without altering its physiognomy. In fact, the design includes an undulating structure that blends in with the surrounding terrain, respecting the natural conformation of the area. One of the most innovative aspects of the project is its attention to functionality: the roof has openings that provide natural ventilation, avoiding humidity problems and maintaining an ideal microclimate for the preservation of artifacts. In addition, the use of a modular structure makes it possible to minimize the presence of columns, leaving wide open spaces that facilitate the work of archaeologists. The choice also provides long-term flexibility: the roof is designed to accommodate future expansions, allowing new areas to be protected as excavations expand.

“Functionality and aesthetics together with the structure minimizing voids and columns providing natural ventilation,” says the minister.

The project is thus part of a process of evolving strategies for the protection of archaeological sites, where the protection of ruins aims to reconcile the preservation of remains with the need to ensure their accessibility to scholars and the public.

The roofing project that will protect the Karahantepe site. Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Turkey.

Turkey, innovative rooftop in Karahantepe will protect 5,000 sqm of archaeological excavations

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