29.05.2026 12:11
As part of the "Heritage for the Future" project carried out by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism at the Karahantepe Archaeological Site in the Haliliye district of Şanlıurfa, environmental arrangement and canopy construction works continue, aiming to protect the area and strengthen scientific activities through excavation and research houses, artifact storage, and infrastructure structures. Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy emphasized that Karahantepe will be carried into the future more robustly and thanked all stakeholders contributing to the process.
Studies conducted at Karahantepe, one of the most important archaeological sites shedding light on human history in Şanlıurfa, are advancing with a holistic approach that goes beyond excavation activities, aiming to protect and develop the site and enhance the visitor experience. The practices carried out under the coordination of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism aim to both strengthen the scientific research infrastructure and make the site more accessible and sustainable.
Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, in a post on his social media accounts regarding the ongoing work, announced that implementation will begin in 2026. Thanking all stakeholders contributing to the process, Ersoy stated:
"We are resolutely continuing our work at Şanlıurfa Karahantepe in line with our Heritage for the Future vision. Within the scope of the site landscaping and roof construction, we are carrying out an important process that will protect the area and strengthen scientific studies, including an excavation and research house, a find storage facility, and infrastructure buildings. We are also nearing completion of our visitor center and integrated landscaping projects. We will begin implementation in 2026 and carry Karahantepe into the future more strongly. I thank our Ministry of Cultural Assets and Museums teams, our excavation director Prof. Dr. Necmi Karul and his team, and all stakeholders who contributed to this process."
TENDER COMPLETED, WORK CONTINUES
The process for the landscaping and roof construction work at the Karahantepe Archaeological Site began in 2024. The tender was held in October 2024, and after the contract was signed, the implementation work for the project is still ongoing.
SCIENTIFIC INFRASTRUCTURE STRENGTHENED
Within the scope of the project, a 2,000 square meter excavation and research house, a 150 square meter find storage facility, and a 35 square meter water reservoir are being constructed. Additionally, the project includes a roof application to protect the excavation area. These efforts aim to preserve archaeological finds and ensure healthier excavation activities.
VISITOR CENTER AND LANDSCAPING IN FINAL STAGE
The planned visitor center and integrated landscaping projects for the Karahantepe Archaeological Site are nearing completion. While these projects are planned to be implemented in 2026, current work is expected to be completed by the end of 2026. The studies, conducted under a single excavation presidency together with Göbeklitepe, are led by Prof. Dr. Necmi Karul on behalf of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Istanbul University. In this context, Karahantepe is being prepared for a comprehensive transformation process in terms of scientific research, as well as conservation and visitor management.