Call for Collective Ownership of 8,500-Year-Old Heritage

The 2025 excavation season at Yeşilova Mound has officially begun with the traditional “excavation breakfast” ceremony. During the event, Bornova Mayor Ömer Eşki, Excavation Director Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zafer Derin, Prof. Dr. Kamil Okyay Sındır, and KAYED President İbrahim Aktaş emphasized the importance of preserving the region’s cultural heritage. With ongoing efforts to include the site on the UNESCO World Heritage List, the mound is expected to make significant contributions in both education and tourism.

Recognized as İzmir’s oldest known settlement area, Yeşilova Mound marked the start of its 2025 excavation activities with an event that brought together key contributors, scholars, and dedicated volunteers. The gathering conveyed strong messages of unity, community ownership, and commitment to cultural preservation.

KAYED Thanks Sındır and Eşki

Hosting the event, Karacaoğlan and Yeşilova Neighborhoods Culture and Solidarity Association (KAYED) President İbrahim Aktaş underlined the importance of Yeşilova Mound for the region:
“This is not just an archaeological site; it is a reflection of our identity. I would like to thank Prof. Dr. Kamil Okyay Sındır for his early support, and all mayors who have followed in his footsteps. Today, seeing that Mayor Ömer Eşki continues with the same sense of ownership gives us great hope.”

Aktaş also expressed his expectation for the site to eventually become a museum and proposed that a future Bornova Municipal Council meeting be held at the mound.

Mayor Eşki: “All of Turkey Will Know Yeşilova”

In his remarks, Mayor Ömer Eşki emphasized Yeşilova Mound's growing national significance:
“From humble beginnings—a simple shed—this site has grown into a symbol of dedication, patience, and ownership. While we are all temporary, history remains permanent. We will continue to contribute as much as we can to this invaluable legacy.”

Mayor Eşki expressed optimism about Yeşilova Mound’s UNESCO candidacy and welcomed the idea of holding a council meeting on-site:
“Mr. Aktaş’s proposal to host a municipal council session here is very meaningful. We will begin preparations to make this happen at an appropriate time. Hopefully, one day, even Cabinet meetings could be held here.”

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Derin: “A Miraculous 20-Year Journey”

Excavation Director Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zafer Derin summarized the project's evolution since 2005:
“When we started, all we had was a small hut. Today, we have transformed this 100,000-square-meter area into a comprehensive archaeological center with a visitor facility and an extensive archeopark, including the Yassıtepe Mound.”

Derin noted that over 80,000 pottery fragments and 12,000 artifacts have been uncovered in the past 20 years, with nearly 4,000 deemed museum-worthy. He highlighted Yeşilova and Yassıtepe as the richest archaeological sites in the İzmir region and shared updates on the site’s UNESCO application. He added that their goal is not only scientific discovery but also to make the site a center for education and tourism.

Sındır: “A Global Cultural Center”

Prof. Dr. Kamil Okyay Sındır described Yeşilova Mound as not only a local treasure but a cultural landmark of global significance:
“We live on this land, drink its water, and eat its bread. It is our shared duty to preserve this land and its history with pride. I thank everyone who has contributed to this important mission so far.”