[MSN] Turkey. Smugglers steal ancient fountain

Tue Feb 13 20:06:48 CET 2007

Smugglers steal ancient fountain 
Tuesday, February 13, 2007

BODRUM - Doğan News Agency

  An ancient city in the southwestern holiday resort of Bodrum have been
stripped of its millenia-old fountain during the last week by mysterious
excavators-cum-thieves. 

  More than 20 unlicensed excavations have taken place in the last week
alone in Pedasa, home to remains from a civilization that settled in the
area 3,500 years ago. The smugglers who carried out the amateur archeology
"dig" reportedly dismantled and removed a 3,000-year-old fountain, the Doğan
News Agency reported yesterday. 

  Located on the Gökçeler Mountain near the Konacık region of Bodrum, Pedasa
was founded in 1500 B.C. as the capital of the Leleg kingdom. The ancient
city, once the commercial heart of Leleg and one of the most developed of
the eight cities of Caria in antiquity, is currently left to its fate in the
absence of guards to protect it. 

  Head of the Association for Developing and Improving Konacık (KONKAD)
Mehmet Melengeç said lack of concern for the ancient city's safety was to
blame for the recent spate of looting. 

  Bodrum Museum Manager Yaşar Yıldız said gendarmerie units in the region
have been notified about the fountain theft and illegal excavations. "With
the support of the Konacık Mayor and civil society organizations, we have to
place a guard in the area to stop the looting," Yıldız stated.