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A 14-meter fin whale, one of the world’s largest marine mammals, is being unearthed in southern Türkiye after lying buried for four years. The whale had washed ashore in May 2021, and after a necropsy—an autopsy conducted on animals to determine the cause of death—it was carefully interred in the grounds of Mersin University (MEU) to allow natural decomposition.
The recovery is part of a project called “The Silence of the Whale Turns into Science”, led by Professor Deniz Ayas of MEU’s Faculty of Fisheries. The initiative aims to transform the skeleton into a major scientific and educational resource. Excavations began in the Yenisehir campus garden with the active participation of hundreds of students.
Ayas noted that more than 400 students registered to join the excavation, a turnout that exceeded expectations. He explained that the first stage of the dig focused on uncovering the skull and jawbones, while subsequent days would concentrate on the chest, abdominal region, and finally the tail vertebrae.
According to the project team, the bones will be numbered, catalogued, and carefully assembled after being removed from the soil. Researchers are also screening the excavated sand with fine sieves to recover even the smallest bone fragments.
“Our aim is to bring the whale out as a whole,” Professor Ayas said. “We will suspend the skeleton and display it in the garden of the MEU Marine Life Museum. This way, students, researchers, and visitors will be able to learn not only about the anatomy of this animal but also about its living conditions and migration routes.”
Ayas emphasized the excitement shared by both faculty and students. He remarked that the enthusiasm of the young participants gave the entire team motivation and energy to sustain the meticulous and labor-intensive process.
The excavation is expected to conclude by October 8, after which the reconstruction phase will begin. The museum display will stand as one of Türkiye’s rare examples of a fully mounted whale skeleton.
In a striking revelation, Ayas pointed out that beneath the same soil lie the remains of eight other marine mammals. These, too, are planned to be excavated and prepared for research and exhibition in the coming years, turning Mersin University into an important hub for marine science and heritage.
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