Prof. Dr. Vedat Keleş, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Ondokuz Mayıs University (OMU), has announced that ten academics from the university are actively participating in seven excavations and surface research projects across the country. Prof. Keleş himself leads the excavation at the ancient city of Parion in Biga district, Çanakkale.

Highlighting the significant contributions of OMU academics, Prof. Keleş mentioned Dr. Davut Kaplan, a faculty member in Archaeology who is part of the excavation team at the Temple of Apollo Smintheus in Çanakkale. He also referenced ongoing projects like the Tokat Sebastopolis Ancient City excavation led by Dr. Akın Temür and surface research in Rize's İkizdere, Çamlıhemşin, and Hemşin districts under the guidance of Dr. Okay Pekşen, Head of Ancient History.

In Samsun, several key projects are underway, including surface research in Akalan led by Dr. Michael Deniz Yılmaz, Vezirköprü Neoklaudiopolis led by Dr. Akın Temür, and the ongoing Dombalaktepe excavations for three seasons under Dr. Atila Türker.

Prof. Keleş emphasized the university's commitment to preserving cultural heritage and archaeology, noting the significance of the Parion excavations, which are in their twentieth year and have contributed numerous artifacts to museums. "The Parion excavations are particularly vital, not just in terms of excavation work but also in conservation, restoration, and publications," he said.

Three New Archaeological Excavations Planned in Samsun

Prof. Keleş drew attention to three new planned excavation sites in Samsun: the Asarkale excavations under the scientific consultancy of Dr. Kasım Oyarçin, the Elmacıktepe site under Dr. Atila Türker, and efforts to initiate excavations in İlkadım Dündartepe. He stressed the importance of making archaeological work and cultural heritage known to all segments of society.

Prof. Keleş also highlighted the role of the newly opened Archaeology Museum in Samsun in enriching the city's archaeological profile. "We must integrate our work with tourism. Sites like Asarkale and Elmacıktepe are crucial, as they lie along a corridor stretching from the Altınkaya Dam to the Bird Sanctuary, offering a unique blend of history, culture, and nature tourism. In particular, the area around Asarkale, already a popular nature tourism spot, offers an opportunity to merge historical, cultural, and natural tourism," he concluded.