Diggings in Tarsus cause cracking in houses

MERSİN

Excavation work by the authorities in the historic town of Tarsus in the southern Turkish province of Mersin, which have been ongoing for more than a year, has led to severe cracking in some houses, daily Habertürk reported on Feb. 4. 

The Tarsus District Governor’s Office and the Mersin Directorate of Culture had stated on Nov. 3 2017 that just two minor historical artifacts were found after “examination and research” diggings in a shared backyard of four houses in the Tarsus district.

Although the diggings have now been concluded, damage believed to have resulted from the work continues to anger locals in the area. Habertürk reported that the supporting iron girder put up to protect the old house on the southern side of the courtyard has become tilted, while cracks on the surrounding walls of many houses in the neighborhood can also been observed.

The excavation work was carried out under high security measures and was the subject of intense speculation at the time, with media reports claiming that a series of significant and valuable historical treasures were being searched for.