Archaeologists resume excavation on Turkey's Black Sea coast

Excavations of the 2,300-year-old Kurul Castle, the first scientific archaeological excavation site in the Eastern Black Sea region, began recently.

The archaeological site lies 13 kilometers away from Ordu. Excavations are currently undertaken by a team of 25 archaeologists and 15 workers. Carried out under the supervision of Professor Süleyman Şenyurt of the Department of Archeology at Gazi University, the excavation is scheduled to continue until October.

Şenyurt told Anadolu Agency (AA) that excavations at the site of Kurul Castle were attempted six years ago but were halted many times due to circumstantial reasons, adding that his team hopes to cover as much ground as possible this season.

In 2016, TL 550,000 ($182,363) in funding for the Kurul Castle excavation project was granted, TL 500,000 of which was covered by the Ordu Metropolitan Municipality while the rest was provided by the Culture and Tourism Ministry. Şenyurt, thanked Ordu Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Enver Yılmaz for his efforts. "Mayor Yılmaz is doing everything in his power to move forward with excavations," he added.

Stating that they expect the Kurul Castle excavations to last more than 10 years, Şenyurt stressed that continuation of the project depends on funding. He also said that they are in need of more workers at the excavation site. "Currently a group of 15 workers assist 25 archeologists but we need more workers to work with us. Workers residing in near-by areas can get in touch with us. Our primary aim is to get on with the excavations with full speed with more workers."

Professor Şenyurt informed that they have unearthed many historic artifacts and remains since 2010. "So far, we have managed to shed light to many important artifacts. In the excavations we unearthed an entrance door, ceramics, coins, arrow head, busts of gods and goddesses and many other artifacts that were used in religious and cultural rituals. Along with these artifacts, hundreds of burnt wood pieces, nails, metal weapons, blades, daggers, axes, cutters and weaving looms were discovered. We Are certain that we will come across many other artifacts as the excavations continue."

Şenyurt also claimed that the Kurul Castle, the first archaeological excavation site in the Eastern Black Sea, will be the new tourist attraction of the region.