FPAD journalist, Tülay Çetinkaya Saraçoğlu-There is a mystery in Karahantepe, it is being hidden. The data found is not being disclosed

In this section of our article, Taş Tepeler Project Coordinator and Karahantepe and Göbeklitepe Excavation Director Prof. Dr. Necmi Kurul clarifies the speculations along the lines of ‘There is a mystery in Karahantepe, it is being hidden. The data found is not being explained!’
Now, no archaeologist in any of these archaeological sites can have such an attitude, anywhere in the world, as not to share anything with the public on purpose. In fact, as soon as we transform the data we obtain from the evidence we uncover into information, we sometimes take care to share these evaluations with the public before we do our work. Because archaeology is not done for archaeologists or a group.
Dear Professor; I have come across information that the results of all excavations in Turkey since 1980 have been published in scientific article format by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and are available to everyone in PDF format for those who want to access accurate information. What would you like to say about this?
– Yes, and the 44th one was held this year.
This is probably the only place in the world where the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of a country has invited and presented all of the archaeological work there for 44 years, where very expert teams can explain their work. And as a country that has been continuing such a broadcast for 44 years, everything here is open to everyone.
This is not a paid congress. It is not a symposium. It is open to everyone. In other words, anyone can go and listen. The papers presented at my symposium are collected in the symposium booklet, which can also be accessed as PDF. They are open, accessible, publications. Moreover, archaeologists enjoy and enjoy sharing the data they obtain with the society. This is a motivation tool for them and part of their responsibility. What will they hide?
In fact, the truth is more enjoyable than anything else. It requires effort, time, and the right people and experts to work on it. This does not happen all at once, it may take some time. Sometimes it takes a month, sometimes a year, sometimes years. In other words, it is variable. The information you access in the field you work in is always open to change. Science also requires this. Those who want to see this with the impatience of seeing the foundations and roof of a building as soon as possible should not expect this from archaeology. But what we need to be careful about here is that if we ignore the fact that the truth is enjoyable, then the lie that is tried to be put in its place may be more attractive to you. If you do not want to be deceived in this way, if you do not want to be deceived readers, listeners, viewers, then research that truth and trust more what people say.
For example, we will be holding a World Neolithic Congress on the Neolithic in the first week of November. Scientists from 64 countries will be attending the “World Neolithic Congress” to be held in Şanlıurfa, which houses important works related to the Neolithic Age, on November 4-8 under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
It will be a congress where over 1000 people, including experts involved in and conducting Neolithic research from all over the world, are expected to attend.
This congress is open to everyone. No congress in the world is held closed. At most, some of them may be paid, and that is to cover the expenses. Otherwise, there is no attitude of not sharing archaeological information with the society.
Instead of creating disinformation with such speculations or content made just to attract attention, it is best to get information from reliable sources based on scientific data.
Scientific knowledge and ethics are indispensable for the sustainability and reliability of archaeological excavations. Following the path illuminated by science and reaching accurate information produces healthier results in understanding the history of humanity.