Work around ancient temple not harming site: Turkey

Social media allegations of damage at ancient site of Gobeklitepe are totally baseless, says Culture and Tourism Ministry

By Burcu Calik

ANKARA (AA) – Turkey on Wednesday blasted “baseless” social media claims about damage being done to the site of Gobeklitepe, a site in southeastern Turkey hailed as the world’s oldest temple.

In a statement, Turkey’s Culture and Tourism Ministry said: “Our ministry will examine the work at Gobeklitepe with a delegation made up of experts and journalists to inform the public that such allegations are baseless.”

Structures at the ancient temple in Sanliurfa, southeastern Turkey, have not been damaged by restoration work at the site, added the ministry.

Gobeklitepe is on the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites and is recognized as the oldest temple in the world by many international organizations.

During preparations for its candidacy, a 4,000-square-meter steel roof was erected to protect the site.

After being temporarily closed to visits due to work on its new roof, Gobeklitepe reopened last month.

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