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Excavations have officially started at Ayanlar Mound (Hoyuk) in Sanliurfa, under the scope of the “Tas Tepeler (Stone Mounds) Project,” one of Türkiye’s most ambitious archaeological programs.
The launch ceremony, attended by Türkiye’s Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mehmet Nuri Ersoy and Japan’s Princess Akiko of Mikasa, marked a new phase of Turkish-Japanese cooperation in cultural heritage.
Princess Akiko expressed pride in the involvement of a Japanese team in the excavations. She noted that Ayanlar is located about 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) from Gobeklitepe, home to what is considered the world’s oldest temple, and suggested that the settlement could have housed the builders of those monumental structures.
She said, “I am very proud that a Japanese team is part of this excavation, which is expected to reveal discoveries that could rewrite history. I am also very happy to contribute, even in a small way, by attending the groundbreaking ceremony.”
The collaboration builds on nearly four decades of joint work. In 1986, Japanese experts launched excavations at Kalehoyuk in Kaman, central Türkiye, a project that continues today.
Officials stressed that Ayanlar Hoyuk represents the next step in this enduring partnership.
During the ceremony, the symbolic wooden pickaxes first used at Kalehoyuk were again employed, underlining the continuity of this cooperation.
Japan’s Ambassador to Ankara, Katsumata Takahiko, underlined that excavations not only deepen historical understanding but also raise awareness about cultural preservation and support local employment.
He expressed hope that the project would strengthen bilateral friendship.
Sanliurfa Governor Hasan Sildak and Metropolitan Mayor Kasim Gulpinar both emphasized that the work will not only advance scientific knowledge but also fortify cultural ties.
Turkish Airlines General Manager Bilal Eksi added that the airline would support the efforts of both Turkish and Japanese teams in the region.
Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Gokhan Yazgi pointed out that Japanese archaeologists have been long-standing partners in Türkiye. He explained that the ministry sought to expand Japanese involvement in the Tas Tepeler Project, especially after hosting the World Neolithic Congress in Sanliurfa last year, which gathered over 1,000 scholars from around the world.
Professor Necmi Karul, coordinator of the Tas Tepeler Project, said the presence of Princess Akiko gave the project added motivation.
He recalled that her grandfather had been instrumental in starting Japanese excavations at Kalehoyuk and stressed the importance of continuing that legacy at Ayanlar Hoyuk.
Professor Yoshihiro Nishiaki, director of the University of Tokyo Museum, expressed excitement about working on such a significant Neolithic site.
He noted that before agriculture and animal husbandry took hold, monumental architecture appeared at sites like Gobeklitepe and Karahantepe and said that similar structures are expected at Ayanlar.
According to him, Japanese and Turkish experts will work together to unravel the mysteries of this settlement while also reinforcing cultural ties between the two nations.
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