Following the revelation that skyscrapers in New York, USA, are sinking 1-2 millimeters every year due to their extraordinary weight, it has emerged that a similar situation is also valid for ancient cities in Turkey and Greece. According to research conducted by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Enes Zengin from Kütahya Dumlupınar University, who examined how the expected rise in sea levels due to climate change will affect historical sites on the coasts of Turkey and Greece, 55 historical sites are at ‘very high’ or ‘high’ risk. In particular, the ancient cities of Knidos and Kaunos in Muğla and the Ancient Port City of Elaia in Bergama, İzmir are identified as historical sites at ‘very high’ risk, and even in the most positive scenario, it is inevitable that these areas will be partially or completely submerged.
150 ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES
If the sea level rises to three meters, Ephesus in Aydin
The port, the ancient city of Ephesus, the ancient city of Miletus and the Güvercin Ada Castle; the Klazomenai Archaeological Site in Izmir; and the ancient cities of Olympos and Patara in Antalya will be partially or completely submerged. Kütahya Dumlupınar University, Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Associate Professor Dr. Enes Zengin made the following statement regarding the latest research data that is alarming: “The expected rise in sea levels threatens nearly 150 archaeological sites and historical structures along the coastlines of Turkey and Greece. The ancient cities of Knidos and Kaunos in Muğla and the ancient port city of Elaia in Bergama, Izmir are at a ‘very high’ risk and will be flooded even in the most positive scenario.
WORRYING RESULTS
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zengin added that the risk status of 464 historical sites located on the Eastern Mediterranean coasts of Turkey and Greece was examined, and said, “Accordingly, 34 sites were rated as ‘very high’ and 21 sites were rated as ‘very high’.
We understood that 25 areas were at ‘high’ risk and 25 areas were at ‘medium’ risk. By the end of the century, sea level rise will range from 0.3 to 2.0 meters. “The Aegean civilizations, which date back to 5,000 BC and include some of the world’s oldest agricultural communities, and 147 sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List are at risk,” he said.
PLANNING MUST BE DONE
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zengin underlined that if the rise reaches two meters, 53 areas will be directly or partially flooded; if it reaches three meters, 80 areas; if it reaches four meters, 106 areas; and if it reaches five meters, 147 areas will be directly or partially flooded, and continued his warnings as follows: “The existence of important sites such as the Klazomenai Necropolis in the Urla district of Izmir, the Aperlai and Limyra ancient cities in Antalya, and the Larymna (Loryma) Ancient City in Muğla may also be under threat. Therefore, it is an inevitable necessity to plan the works to be carried out on historical sites according to short, medium and long-term external factors, that is, to take into account the expected rise in water levels due to climate change.”
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