The Blue Mosque, Galata Tower, the German Fountain, the Mausoleum of Mahmud II and many other historical artifacts' walls are full of graffiti. Shopkeepers in Aksaray bang nails into the walls of historic buildings and hang up dresses. Historical artifacts cannot be preserved, and the damage gets worse by the day. The pollution of artifacts and buildings on the historical peninsula damages Istanbul's image. "People who wrote these things on the walls, such as their beloved's name, do it for advertisement.These people are primitive," says Professor İlber Ortaylı. He states that preservation clubs and teams, like scouts, should be formed for the protection of historical artifacts. According to Professor Yaşar Çoruhlu, the protection of these artifacts should come before people's personal benefits.Historian Ortaylı thinks that the problem can only be solved by supervision, not by education. "We cannot forgive and forget what is done to history," says Ortaylı. He states that officials who are responsible for the conservation of artifacts overlook this ill treatment. He says conservation clubs and teams, like scouts, should be formed for the preservation of historical artifacts. "There is no other way," says Ortaylı, adding, education is not enough to raise awareness.He continues, "Even if this is taught at school, it goes through one ear and out the other. Our education system is falling apart. There are huge buildings beside historical ones. People are indifferent and insolent. We will raise awareness and take due precautions. People who are responsible for the protection of these historical artifacts will chase off those who harm them, it is that simple." He claims that punishments are not imposed.He stated citizens would guard their own historical artifact. A member of Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University, Çoruhlu says things will start to change the day we understand historical artifacts are important cultural assets.He claims that regardless of their education level, most people lack historical, artistic or cultural awareness. Individuals do not have any idea about how important historical artifacts are for their social backgrounds and building their lives and futures. "That is why most of them cannot understand how to approach these artifacts and realize the damage they cause," Çoruhlu says. According to him, people's perspectives should be changed regarding historical artifacts. He states that the protection of historical artifacts should get ahead of people's personal benefits. He adds that this is only possible if we make scientific understanding dominate. Çoruhlu concluded, "There are items regarding the protection of historical artifacts in the Code of Protection of Cultural and Natural Properties, but they are inadequate. The most efficient way to protect these artifacts is through raising awareness and regulating the education system accordingly."