Anatolia’s 6,000-Year-Old Production Heritage Comes to Light with Eti Bakır

Eti Bakır continues its efforts to preserve cultural heritage as part of its “We Extract All the Ores Beneath the Earth” project. The excavations at İkiztepe Mound, which have played a significant role in shaping Anatolian archaeology, are continuing for their fourth year with the support of Eti Bakır. While some of the finest historical examples of copper craftsmanship are being uncovered at the excavation site, some of the earliest known examples of textile weaving are also coming to light.

Eti Bakır, one of the leading companies in value-added industry, is continuing its support this year for the excavations at İkiztepe Mound in Samsun’s Bafra district. Supported as part of Eti Bakır’s “We Extract All the Ores Beneath the Earth” project, which is carried out in line with the company’s approach to sustainable growth, creating social value and responsible mining, the İkiztepe Mound excavations are entering their fourth year. Eti Bakır continues to contribute to the preservation and exploration of this important part of Anatolia’s historical heritage.

Aiming to strengthen local relationships in the regions where it operates and contribute to local development by supporting the tourism potential generated by archaeological excavations, Eti Bakır not only supports the discovery and documentation of archaeological findings through the excavations it sponsors, but also contributes to scientific analysis processes by making its R&D laboratories available for research.

Eti Bakır General Manager Asım Akbaş emphasized the company’s commitment to both preserving cultural heritage and contributing to regional development, saying:

“We are pleased to have supported the excavations at İkiztepe Mound for four years as part of our ‘We Extract All the Ores Beneath the Earth’ project. These efforts not only contribute to bringing Anatolia’s thousands of years of history to light, but also create value for the regional economy and local development by supporting cultural tourism.

“We consider contributing to economic, social and cultural development in every region where we operate to be among our priorities. During the new excavation season, we will continue to support the preservation of this important heritage and the continuation of scientific research.”

Associate Professor Dr. Aslıhan Beyazıt, Head of the Excavation and faculty member at Istanbul University, commented on this year’s work:

“It is extremely important to maintain support for existing excavation sites and develop new collaborations. The excavations at İkiztepe Mound in Samsun are among the most valuable archaeological projects in the region. Thanks to Eti Bakır’s support, we are able to continue our research without interruption and make the story extending from the past to the present more visible.”

With findings dating back as far as 4,000 BC, İkiztepe Mound sheds light on Anatolia’s ancient past and offers some of the finest historical examples of copper craftsmanship. The excavations have also revealed some of the earliest known examples of textile weaving, along with copper-alloy weapons, everyday objects and decorative items. Findings reflecting the distinctive wooden architecture of the Black Sea region have also been uncovered at the site.