22 December 2009 / TODAY’S ZAMAN , İSTANBUL
A historic Hittite monument located in the Halkapınar district of Konya is being damaged because it is being used for target practice by a number of unidentified people. The 2,700-year-old monument is the earliest example of a rock relief monument.
İshak Acar, a member of Konya provincial assembly, has floated a proposal to protect the monument from sustaining more damage. Deep cracks have also occurred on the relief due to natural weathering. “Cracks have occurred because of the accumulation of rainwater and snow. As the snow and rain freezes, the cracks get larger every day. We have made a proposal to the provincial assembly about this. We want the Hittite monument to be protected, repaired and maintained. Thousands of foreign tourists visit the monument every year. Unless precautions are taken, it will be destroyed.” In addition, the provincial assembly’s culture and tourism commission is expected to visit Halkapınar to examine the monument in the near future. The commission will prepare a report that will be discussed at a meeting of the assembly in January.The monument is believed to have been erected for Hittite King Warpalavas between 727 and 742 B.C. and depicts the king making offerings to Santaj, the Hittite god of abundance.
