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Hurriyet Daily News, Turkey
Dec 12 2014
Drought in Lake Van exposes long-submerged Ottoman structures
VAN
Lakes and tributaries across Anatolia have been hit by climate change
and a lack of rain over the last year, but what is a natural disaster
for the environment has provided historians with an opportunity to
check their facts in eastern Turkey.
The worst drought experienced by Lake Van in 15 years has exposed
ancient cities and a number of historic artefacts that had until now
long been submerged under water.
Parts of the old city of ErciÅ?, which lies along the northern stretch
of Turkey's largest lake, as well as an Ottoman fortress are not only
visible, but also accessible by foot on the desiccated lake bed.
A geographer from a local university says more ancient artefacts will
be revealed if the water level continues to fall, including
settlements and fortresses from the Urartian era.
`Settlements that were thought to be indestructible were submerged
underwater. If the water level drops further, we will see more of the
remains of an ancient city,' said Ali Fuat DoÄ?u from Van's Yüzüncü Yıl
University.
The Urartian Kingdom dates back to around 1,000 B.C. and was one of
the most important ancient civilizations to settle in Anatolia. The
kingdom spread between the triangle formed by Lake Van, Lake Sevan in
today's Armenia, and Lake Urumiyah in western Iran.
However, although a boon to historians, the sharp drought currently
experienced in Anatolia is raising concerns among environmentalists,
particularly as several important lakes are facing extinction.
Lake Meke in the Central Anatolian province of Konya saw its volume
fall by 99 percent over the summer according to scientists. Not far
away, Lake Tuz, which has shrunk to 50 percent of its original size
over the last 40 years, continues to vanish. Lake Sapanca in the
province of Sakarya, east of Istanbul, has also witnessed an alarming
drop in its water levels, while local activists have mobilized to save
Lake Burdur, which has lost a third of its waters over the last 35
years.
December/12/2014
Dec 12 2014
Drought in Lake Van exposes long-submerged Ottoman structures
VAN
Lakes and tributaries across Anatolia have been hit by climate change
and a lack of rain over the last year, but what is a natural disaster
for the environment has provided historians with an opportunity to
check their facts in eastern Turkey.
The worst drought experienced by Lake Van in 15 years has exposed
ancient cities and a number of historic artefacts that had until now
long been submerged under water.
Parts of the old city of ErciÅ?, which lies along the northern stretch
of Turkey's largest lake, as well as an Ottoman fortress are not only
visible, but also accessible by foot on the desiccated lake bed.
A geographer from a local university says more ancient artefacts will
be revealed if the water level continues to fall, including
settlements and fortresses from the Urartian era.
`Settlements that were thought to be indestructible were submerged
underwater. If the water level drops further, we will see more of the
remains of an ancient city,' said Ali Fuat DoÄ?u from Van's Yüzüncü Yıl
University.
The Urartian Kingdom dates back to around 1,000 B.C. and was one of
the most important ancient civilizations to settle in Anatolia. The
kingdom spread between the triangle formed by Lake Van, Lake Sevan in
today's Armenia, and Lake Urumiyah in western Iran.
However, although a boon to historians, the sharp drought currently
experienced in Anatolia is raising concerns among environmentalists,
particularly as several important lakes are facing extinction.
Lake Meke in the Central Anatolian province of Konya saw its volume
fall by 99 percent over the summer according to scientists. Not far
away, Lake Tuz, which has shrunk to 50 percent of its original size
over the last 40 years, continues to vanish. Lake Sapanca in the
province of Sakarya, east of Istanbul, has also witnessed an alarming
drop in its water levels, while local activists have mobilized to save
Lake Burdur, which has lost a third of its waters over the last 35
years.
December/12/2014