Italy's La Sapienza exhibition sheds light on Arslantepe Mound excavations

Italy’s La Sapienza University, which has been conducting excavations at the Arslantepe Mound in Malatya, a UNESCO World Heritage site, organized an exhibition and symposium on Arslantepe

An exhibition and symposium titled “Arslantepe 2024: Past, present and future of a new UNESCO World Heritage Site” was held at the La Sapienza University and Yunus Emre Institute Turkish Cultural Center in Rome in collaboration with Türkiye’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

The event hosted by the Faculty of Literature and Philosophy of La Sapienza University was attended by Turkish Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Gokhan Yazgi, Turkish Ambassador to Rome Omer Gucuk, Turkish Ambassador to the Vatican Ufuk Ulutas, Mayor of Malatya Metropolitan Municipality Selahattin Gurkan, Malatya Inonu University Rector professor Ahmet Kizilay, La Sapienza University Rector professor Antonella Polimeni and Arslantepe Mound excavation head professor Dr. Francesca Balossi Restelli and honorary head of Arslantepe Mound excavations professor Dr. Marcella Frangipane from La Sapienza University of Rome.

At the event’s opening, Deputy Minister Yazgi, Ambassador Gucuk, and professor Polimeni inaugurated the exhibition showcasing photographs of Arslantepe.

Afterward, a symposium was organized to discuss the 63 years of work carried out by La Sapienza University at the Arslantepe Mound.

Speaking at the opening of the symposium, Yazgi said that they had wanted to organize these events last year but were unable to do so due to the Feb. 6 earthquake. He thanked Italy and their Italian friends for their support during the earthquake.

Stating that Arslantepe Mound was affected by the Feb. 6 earthquakes, Yazgi said, “Arslantepe Mound, which has existed for thousands of years, suffered minor damage in the earthquakes in question. With the esteemed professor Francesca, we made the necessary on-site assessments and repaired minor damages. We have taken measures to minimize the effects of aftershocks.”

Gucuk thanked La Sapienza University for its contributions to the Arslantepe excavations and for hosting this event.

Polimeni said that the university administration strongly supports archaeological research at Arslantepe Mound and it will continue its efforts with the same enthusiasm in cooperation with international and local authorities.