Site Visits

1. Visit with Mellaart

Mellart Visit: At Çatalhöyük with James and Arlette Mellart

The discovery made by a young archeologist in the summer of 1958, that a mound near Cumra contained neolithic remains, is one of the most important archeological discoveries ever. This mound would later be named as Catalhoyuk.
In September 1998, at the fortieth anniversary of this discovery, Turkish Friends visited the mound together with James Mellaart, the archeologist who made the discovery. Those who joined the visit had the opportunity the relive the excitement of the discovery, together with the person who made the discovery and the current director of the project, Ian Hodder.

On the evening of September 11, those who joined the visit were invited for dinner by His Excellency the British Ambassador at his residence. In the morning of September 12, there was a visit to the Anatolian Civilizations Museum and James Mellaart told the story of the Catalhoyuk objects, which he discovered, now on display at the museum. In the afternoon, Asikli excavation led by Prof. Ufuk Esin was visited. In the evening, James Mellaart gave a talk accompanied by slides at the Agacli Motel in Aksaray, where the group stayed. In the morning of September 13, Catalhoyuk was visited together with James Mellaart and Ian Hodder, current director of the Catalhoyuk Project.

2. Other Visits

with Mehmet Erdoğan at Aşağı Pinar

Turkish Friends visited Çatalhöyük during 1996, 1997 and 1998 seasons.

In September 1996, friends helped Istanbul Robert College students make arrangements to visit Çatalhöyük.

During the 1999 season those Turkish Friends who wished could visit and stay overnight at the site.

In 1998, friends visited Salihli and Usak with the renowned Turkish journalist Ozgen Acar, to hear the stories which he broke, of the antiquities stolen from this region. During the summer of 1999, friends visited Mehmet Özdogan's neolithic excavation at Asagi Pinar near Kirklareli.

1996, 1997 and 1998 visits were arranged by Fest Travel. Fest Travel donated all profit from these visits to the Turkish Friends. Turkish Friends gratefully acknowledge the contribution of Fest Travel.