An underwater researcher caused controversy in southern Antalya province after keeping two 2000-year-old columns dating back to the Roman Empire as decorations in front of his apartment building.

Mustafa Aydemir said he discovered the columns in Kaleiçi, a resort town in Antalya, back in 1994 and obtained a permit from the Antalya Museum Directorate on condition that he will keep them safe.

After more than 20 years, a retired art history teacher noticed the columns in front of Aydemir's apartment and notified the museum directorate about the error made decades ago as well as filing a complaint to an Antalya court.

The directorate said the columns will soon be moved to one of the museums in Antalya after the court's decision.