Most of the 1600-year-old Ballıgerme Aqueduct in Çatalca, in the Istranca mountains, was demolished by dynamite. The destruction estimated by treasure hunters was noticed by nature volunteers walking in the region.
It was observed that treasure hunters left many materials such as liquor bottles and work gloves in the region with the destruction.
“A PART OF THE SYSTEM THAT CARRYING WATER TO ISTANBUL”
Çatalca Culture and Tourism Association President Ahmet Rasim Yücel said that he preserved the integrity of the historical arch until a month ago.
* In the fourth century, with the election of Istanbul as the new capital of the Roman Empire, a huge population explosion occurred just like in the twentieth century.
* This development naturally brought with it major infrastructure problems. Along with food, the public needed water.
* This demand was met by the longest and most complex aqueduct system ever built by Rome. These arches are also part of this system.
THE CITY LEGEND THAT BRINGS DEFINECLES HERE
Explaining that urban legends brought treasure hunters to these aqueducts, Ahmet Rasim Yücel continued as follows;
* According to gossip, which is spoken among the people and is not essential, those who made these works put the gold among the stones and asked the people to use it in times of absence.
* This unfounded gossip drags people here. They smash these historical artifacts with their false treasure maps. Ballıgerme aqueduct was built approximately 1600 years ago.
* Today it is completely torn by treasure hunters. It is a pity for our historical works.
“They use dynamite”
Saying that the treasure hunters used dynamite, Ahmet Rasim Yücel said, “Treasure hunters who want to reach the so-called gold among the stones use dynamite. The aqueduct is now completely destroyed by the dynamites exploding here. ” said.
INQUIRY STARTED
Authorities said that an investigation was launched into the incident, and efforts are underway to identify and capture treasure hunters who detonated dynamite. Authorities asked those who know about the incident to report it. DHA
