People visit the tomb-sanctuary on Mount Nemrut in Adiyaman Province, Türkiye, on June 7, 2022. Mount Nemrut was inscribed on UNESCO World Heritage List in 1987. On Mount Nemrut, the mausoleum of Antiochus I, who reigned over Commagene, a kingdom founded north of Syria and the Euphrates after the breakup of Alexander's empire, is one of the most ambitious constructions of the Hellenistic period. The syncretism of its pantheon, and the lineage of its kings, which can be traced back through two sets of legends, Greek and Persian, is evidence of the dual origin of this kingdom's culture. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua)
by Burak Akinci
GAZIANTEP, Türkiye, Feb. 10 (Xinhua) -- The catastrophic earthquakes that rocked Türkiye and Syria on Monday did not only lead to huge human casualties but also heavily damaged the cultural memory of a region famous for its rich history.
Many ancient heritage sites have been destroyed in the disaster. Among them is the Roman-era Gaziantep Castle, a 2,000-year-old monument that used to be a prized cultural and tourist landmark of Gaziantep city.
People wearing face masks walk through the Coppersmiths Bazaar in Gaziantep, Türkiye, Aug. 25, 2021. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua)
The stone hilltop castle's east, south, and southeast bastions entirely collapsed in the disaster, leaving debris scattered on the road.
"An important part of the collective memory is now gone, it's a shame. The sites destroyed are part of our history," Mahmut Erdil, a native photographer, told Xinhua.
Tourists visit the tomb-sanctuary on the top of Mount Nemrut in Adiyaman Province, Türkiye, Sept. 26, 2021. Mount Nemrut lies in Türkiye's southeastern province of Adiyaman. In 1987, it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Mount Nemrut is known for the ruins of the tomb-sanctuary on its top. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua)
The Daily Sabah reported that the nearby Sirvani Mosque, dating back to the 17th century, partially collapsed too.
UNESCO said in a statement on Thursday that it would provide support to the damaged World Heritage sites in Türkiye and neighboring Syria, a swathe of land considered the cradle of civilization and home to some major antique sites.
The UN agency warned about the damage to other World Heritage sites in Türkiye, including the famous archaeological site of Nemrut Dag (Mount Nemrut).
Located in quake-hit Adiyaman province, the site, with giant statues as part of an ancient royal tomb from the first century, is one of Türkiye's most iconic attractions.
In Diyarbakir province, several buildings at the Diyarbakir Fortress and the adjacent Hevsel Gardens, also part of a World Heritage site, have also suffered damage, the local press said.
Destroyed buildings are pictured in Antakya in the southern province of Hatay, Türkiye, Feb. 9, 2023. The death toll from the earthquakes climbed to 17,674 in Türkiye, with 72,879 injuries, Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay said Thursday. (Xinhua/Shadati)
The Turkish Culture and Tourism Ministry also reported "some damage" at the Hatay Archeology Museum, considered by experts as home to the most extensive mosaic collection in Hatay Province.
Antakya, known as Antioch in ancient times as a hub of civilization, commerce and religion for Christians especially, suffered widespread damage too.
According to official data, over 6,000 buildings have collapsed in the earthquakes in Türkiye. ■
