The whole world now knows that Allianoi is an important archaeological site one of the few ancient health centers in the world. In 2001, the site was designated a 1st class archaeological site by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in Turkey. But since only 20% of this ancient centre has been excavated, it still holds many unknowns of human heritage. Many articles have been published on this site, more than sixty books written on Allianoi, and Ph.D and master's theses have been done. Yet since the year 2006, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in Turkey has not allowed any scientific research or excavations to be carried out at this site.
Until 2006, the Ministry was supporting excavations and publishing information about Allianoi on its web page.
However, the Directorate of State Hydraulic Works has never acknowledged the existence of the cultural heritage site, consistently denying even the name Allianoi. The Committee for the Protection of Cultural and Natural Heritage that functions under the Ministry of Culture had to make several decisions on Allainoi, and on each decision, the
Committee seemed to backtrack from its earlier decisions.
It is only thanks to public opinion that Allianoi has been preserved until today. But now, as a result of constant political pressure, the members of the Protection Committee have decided that the site should be submerged.
Several NGOs in Turkey, especially the Allianoi Initiative protest this decision and all are determined to continue to fight for Allianoi. But the government of Turkey is indifferent to this heritage that also represents the European Cultural Heritage. In this century, there is no other example in the world of such a well preserved ancient thermal bath. The Directorate of State Hydraulic Works has set out to deceive all concerned citizens, NGOs and law courts by stating that the archaeological site may be preserved under water.
To date, a dozen court cases have been launched to save Allianoi and to continue excavations. Some are still pending but those that are concluded have all ruled against the government's plans to submerge the site. Until now, the courts have prevented the destruction of Allianoi. However, after each court ruling, the High Committee for Monuments and the Regional Committee for the Protection of Heritage has made changes in the wording of decisions affecting
Allianoi, thus "going around" court decisions. Two years ago, the issue was taken to the European Human Rights Court and accepted by the Court. That case is still pending.
Yet last week, the Directorate of State Hydraulic Works has began to intervene physically at the site, thus taking the first steps towards the application of a plan opposed by all NGOs, scientific organizations and many cicizens. Allianoi has been closed off to the press, to professional chambers, NGO obervers and scientific excavators. The destruction has begun.
A 2000 thousand year old ancient health centre that should be on the list of World Heritage Sites is now being destroyed.
Is there anyone there who can stop this destruction?
Dr. Ahmet YARAS
Leader of the Allianoi Excavation www.allianoi.org , email: ahmetyaras@hotmail.com
