Diyarbakir Museum adds 7 thousand artifacts in a decade

The Diyarbakir Museum has added 7,030 historical artifacts to its collection over the past decade, through surface surveys, archaeological excavations, purchases from citizens, and efforts to combat smuggling.

The museum, which started operations in 1934, has been serving in a new location since 2015. After restoration work began in 2005 and was completed in 2014 in 14 historic buildings in Icicle, Sur District, Diyarbakir, the museum opened as the Icicle Museum Complex in 2015, under the direction of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

The museum, which hosts artifacts dating back 12,400 years, has seen its collection grow from 29,270 items in 2015 to 36,300 today, thanks to ongoing surface surveys, archaeological excavations, acquisitions from local citizens, and anti-smuggling efforts.

Mujdat Gizligol, the Deputy Director of Diyarbakir Museum shared that the museum is one of the oldest in Türkiye, founded in 1934, while speaking to Anadolu Agency. He also mentioned that the Icicle Museum Complex, which includes 14 historical buildings, has been serving the public for the past decade. The complex also hosts the Archaeology Museums and a museum dedicated to Türkiye’s first president Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.

Gizligol explained that the Archaeology Museum consists of two separate halls. “One of them is the archaeological exhibition hall, where historical artifacts spanning approximately 12,000 years, from the Neolithic period to the present, are on display. In addition, we have a hall dedicated to thematic archaeological artifacts,” he added.

Historically, because there were no other museums in the region in the 1930s and 1940s, artifacts from surrounding provinces, such as Mus, Bingol, Sanliurfa, Elazig, Siirt, and Mardin, were brought to the Diyarbakir Museum. However, museums being established in those areas now means that the Diyarbakir Museum hosts artifacts from its immediate vicinity.

Archaeological excavations, expanding collections

The Diyarbakir Museum has engaged in more than 40 excavation projects over the years, which have led to the discovery of numerous new artifacts. Gizligol explained, “Diyarbakir Museum holds a vast collection of Neolithic artifacts, some of which are 10,000 to 12,000 years old. Since its early years, the museum has acquired numerous cultural assets that are now part of its inventory. After the 2000s, with several rescue excavations in the region, the number of artifacts in the collection has significantly increased. As of 2025, the museum’s collection includes 36,300 artifacts, compared to only 29,270 in 2015. This means that over the past decade, more than 7,000 new items have been added to the museum’s inventory.”

Gizligol also noted that the museum’s acquisitions were not only the result of excavations, but also involved purchases made directly from citizens and artifacts that were seized by law enforcement and brought to the museum. “We also have artifacts that were brought to the museum through both rescue excavations and scientific excavations authorized by the Presidency. Every year, valuable cultural assets from nearly 33 civilizations, ranging from the Neolithic period to the present, are added to our museum collection,” he added.

Museum expansion, visitor growth

While the museum currently holds a vast inventory, Gizligol pointed out that there is not enough space to display all of the artifacts. “We need many buildings to exhibit all 36,000 artifacts. We display the most valuable ones. As with every museum in Türkiye, only a portion of the collection is displayed. In our case, approximately 1,615 of the 36,000 artifacts are on display, while the rest are kept in storage,” he said.

He also highlighted the significant increase in visitor numbers in recent years. “We are very pleased with the public’s interest,” he said. “In 2024, 197,000 people visited our museum. This year, our goal, along with all the museums in Diyarbakir, is to reach 300,000 visitors. We invite all citizens to come and explore this beautiful museum.”