Stored ancient artifacts to be displayed at Ahlat Museum

Artifacts dating back almost 5,000 years once kept in storage in Bitlis will be displayed at the Ahlat Museum's new building after restoration and conservation work. Expert restorers are currently renovating the artifacts, the oldest of which dates to between 2,900 B.C. and 2,700 B.C. Ziya Kılınç, the head of Ahlat Museum, said in a statement that the artifacts have been transferred to the new building. He said some of them need maintenance as they "look dirty and rusty."

"Experts from Erzurum and Diyarbakır-based laboratories are cleaning them. The experts are carrying out both restoration and conservation work. We are repairing corroded artifacts," Kılınç said, adding some of them will be protected in storage. He said the museum aims to increase the public's consciousness of culture by showcasing historic pieces. He said most of the artifacts displayed in the museum were discovered in the 1960s during excavations conducted in Kef Castle located in the district of Adilcevaz. Additionally, the artifacts found around the Selçuklu Meydan Cemetery will also be shown in the museum. Kılınç said visitors can also buy some pieces there. "There are many examples of blue turquoise ceramics that date back to the Hellenistic period and the Byzantine, Seljuk, Roman and Urartian Empires. Visitors can also see Ottoman-era artifacts and pieces dating back to the Kura-Araxes culture," he said.