The 'pause' debate in the Future Heritage Project: OK or continue?

A new claim has been made regarding the ancient city excavations. Several expert archaeologists working on the excavations say that all excavations in Türkiye under the Future Heritage Project (GMP) have been terminated following instructions from the ministry.

In their interviews with our newspaper, experts said: “We don't understand why the Heritage to the Future Project has been suddenly halted. No one knows the reason. The excavation directors were told to stop work and that the costs of the work done so far would be paid as soon as possible. However, there is still no written assessment of the situation or directive. All the teams working on the excavations are left jobless. The GMP was a four-year project, supposedly to last until 2028. The Minister launched it, and many people who trusted it moved to the city where they would work, got married, had children... They are all miserable now. There are experts who have started working in day-to-day construction and cafes, which is sad. The excavation directors, trusting the Ministry, incurred debt to contractors and subcontractors, saying, 'Work, the money will come.' Things have been a bit lax, and the tenders for several excavations were split among the same companies and items, awarded through direct purchases. A complete collapse is unfolding. No one knows what will happen. As with the Antalya Museum incident, there is no explanation, no justification.”

STATEMENT FROM THE MINISTRY

Meanwhile, according to information we received from the ministry: "Suspending excavations under the Heritage for the Future Project is out of the question. The issue is entirely related to budget accounting. Last year, most of our professors were unable to use their November and December budgets, resulting in the funds being wasted. To prevent this this year, we asked the professors to close their final budget accounts in November, and in December, we will send them funds they can actually use."

'IT'S NOT SCIENCE, IT'S THE TENDER THAT'S TALKING'

Archaeologist and author İdris Özyol, who also wrote news on the subject, emphasized the accuracy of the statements made by archaeologists working on the site. Speaking to our newspaper, Özyol said, “The Heritage to the Future Project, which was suddenly and surprisingly terminated, was already proceeding at an unscientific pace and entirely focused on profiteering. The subcontractor who won the excavation, which was put out to tender, received payment from the state based on the cubic meters of soil excavated. This calculation is based on the 'exposure value' determined at regular intervals. In these excavations, most of which are focused on restoration, the transportation of stone blocks is also calculated based on the exposure value. There's always the possibility of inflating the cost by turning a stone three or four times. Examples of this are being discussed.”

Özyol continued: “I don't believe the previous location and original position of a stone moved as part of the project has been recorded in the most detailed way. That stone absolutely cannot be returned to its location and position before the Heritage for the Future Project. Furthermore, since payments are made per cubic meter, the pace of an archaeological excavation is determined by the subcontractor, not the excavation director. Excavations begin with the calculation of how many cubic meters of soil will be excavated. If the excavation falls short of that limit, the 'archaeological excavation' will result in a loss. Subcontractors, eager to receive their earnings as soon as possible, may demand that the excavation team speed up and act quickly. Ultimately, the focus is on the tender, not science. This is a system completely contrary to scientific principles and ethics. I believe this system is funneling resources to a group of contractors and a cronies.