Traditional Turkish crafts and archaeological legacies preserved by veteran masters

In Turkey, long-standing traditional crafts and archaeological contributions are being preserved by veteran practitioners.

At the Hattuşa Ancient City in Çorum, Mehmet Erdek has served as a master excavator for 51 years. Having started at age 15 in 1975, Erdek has worked alongside various excavation directors to uncover Hittite artifacts, including seals, tablets, bronze objects, and architectural structures. Despite retiring from official duties two years ago due to age, he continues to work in the excavation area.

In Gaziantep, 68-year-old Mehmet Başaran is one of the last remaining masters of traditional wooden clog making (takunyacılık). Operating from the Gümrük Hanı Living Museum, Başaran has practiced this craft for 50 years. He uses specific woods, such as plane and tamarisk for men's clogs and walnut or beech for women's, noting that the traditional footwear offers health benefits by absorbing moisture. His handmade products are distributed across Turkey and occasionally abroad.