The Ottoman Empire is known as an empire that bears the traces of many civilizations throughout its history and contains many valuable works. However, in the late Ottoman period, the preservation of this rich heritage faced a great challenge. Unfortunately, the Ottoman lands, which became a favorite of archaeologists, researchers, and tourists from various countries, began to be plundered.
Some of the magical ancient cities and historical buildings rising in the fertile lands of Anatolia, bearing the traces of thousands of years, were smuggled abroad. Some works were sent as gifts by the Ottoman sultans of that period. In this article, we will take a look at some of these important works that were lost in the last periods of the Ottoman Empire and are still exhibited in museums around the world.
Miletus South Agora North Gate – Berlin Museum
Some of the artifacts unearthed during the excavations in the ancient city of Miletos, located in Balat village of Aydın province, Söke district, where the excavations were first started by Schoene, one of the Directors of the Berlin Museum, and followed by the excavation carried out by T. Wiegand in 1896, date back to Sultan II. It was given as a gift to the Germans by the order of Abdulhamid. Monumental monuments dating back to the 2nd century AD found during these excavations South Agora Gate It is among the most important works exhibited in the Berlin Pergamon Museum today.
Altar of Zeus in Pergamon (Bergama) – Berlin Museum
Pergamon Zeus Altar or Zeus Altar is an ancient monument located in Northwestern Anatolia, north of Izmir, in the 2nd century BC. in Pergamon It is a monumental religious building made of marble built by the Attalos dynasty that ruled the Kingdom of Pergamon. The horseshoe-shaped structure is located on the Pergamon Acropolis. The frescoes on the marble coating outside and inside are considered among the most important works in the history of art.
The exterior frescoes depict the war between the Olympian gods of the ancient Hellenic world and the giants – the Gigants – while the interior frescoes depict the myth of Telefos, the founding myth of Pergamon. The ruins of this magnificent structure were taken to Prussia in the 1870s by German engineer Carl Humann. Today, it is exhibited in the Pergamon Museum in Berlin and is visited by thousands of people every year.
Lion of Knidos – British Museum
The Lion of Knidos is a huge marble statue located in the ancient city of Knidos on the southwestern coast of Turkey. Its marble was brought from Athens’ Penteli Mountain near the Aegean Sea. The lion’s lower jaw and front paws were missing, and its eyes were probably filled with metal or glass. Although the exact date of its construction is unknown, it is thought to have been built in the 2nd century BC. It was discovered by British archaeologist Richard Popplewell Pullan in 1858 and moved to the British Museum.
Harpy Monument from the Ancient City of Xanthos – British Museum
Xanthos Ancient City is home to the famous rock tombs of the Lycia region. Dating back to 480-470 BC, the Harpy Monument is a burial chamber that is one of the most important Lycian monuments. There are scenes such as mythological figures, scenes of gifts presented to the king and funeral processions on the monument. Although the name of the monument is actually known as Harpy, there is a consensus today that the figures are not Harpies. The reliefs and friezes of the Harpy Monument, one of the important works of the Ancient City of Xanthos, are exhibited in the Lycian Hall of the British Museum.
Propylon of the Temple of Athena (Bergama) – Berlin Museum
II. The Propylon entrance of the Temple of Athena in Pergamon, dating back to the Eumenes period (197 – 159 BC), is kept in the Berlin Museum.
Nereid Monument (Xanthos) – British Museum
This work, built in the city of Xanthos in 400 BC, is called the Nereid Monument because of the 12 Nereid statues between its columns. The work is now in the British Museum.
Treasures of Troy
The Mask of Agamemnon, the commander-in-chief of the Achaeans in the Trojan War in 1200 BC, actually belongs to a prince who lived 300 years before him. The work, which was unearthed during the excavations in Mycenae, is now in the National Museum of Athens. Dress, earrings etc. seen in the picture. Almost all of the other Troy treasures are in Russia.
Three Graces Mosaic – Paris Louvre Museum
The mosaic showing the beauty contest held by Hera, Athena and Aphrodite on Mount Ida, under the refereeship of Paris, dates back to the 2nd century AD and was found in Antakya. Today, it is exhibited in the Louvre Museum in Paris.
Dionysus Mosaic (Antakya) – Worcester Museum, USA
Hermes carries the child Dionysus in his arms. The mosaic, found in Antakya and dating back to the 4th century AD, is in the Worcester Museum of America.
Aphrodisias-Old Fisherman Statue – Berlin Museum
The Old Fisherman Statue, found during the excavations in the ancient city of Aphrodisias near Aydın Geyre, was gifted to German archaeologists in 1905 and is currently exhibited in the Berlin Pergamon Museum.
Tile Mosaic Mihrab of Beyhekim Mosque
The tile mosaic altar of the Beyhekim Mosque in the Beyhekim District of Konya’s Selçuklu district was built by Germany’s Konya Consul Dr. in 1907. It was numbered and smuggled abroad by JH Loytvedin under the pretext of repair. The work is still exhibited in the Islamic Art section of the Pergamonmuseum in Berlin.
Hacı İbrahim Veli Tomb Sarcophagus
The tomb of Sheikh Hacı İbrahim Veli, one of the grandchildren of the sheikhs sent by Hodja Ahmet Yesevi to enlighten Anatolia, is located in the village of Alanyurt (Maruf) in Akşehir district of Konya. The embroidered sarcophagus in the tomb, made with the carving technique from the trunk of a walnut tree, was stolen and taken to Germany in 1905. The work, whose return negotiations are ongoing, is exhibited at the Museum of East Asian and Islamic Arts in Berlin.
These important works, lost in the last periods of the Ottoman Empire, form a part of our cultural heritage, and Turkey’s requests for return continue at the international level. Bringing back these works is of great importance in terms of correcting an injustice done to our history and culture and preserving the traces of an important period.
