Artifacts found in the excavations at the Ani Ruins in Kars were exhibited

In the exhibition titled "The Story of Ani" opened at the Kars Archaeology and Ethnography Museum, 196 of the 244 archaeological and ethnographic artifacts registered in the museum inventory met with visitors for the first time.

Visitors had the opportunity to examine rings, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, headwear and daily life items made of gold, silver, bronze, glass, stone and metal at the Ani Archaeological Site, which dates back to 5000 BC.

Deputy Head of the Museums Department of the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage and Museums of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Serkan Gedük, said in his statement that the cultural assets obtained in archaeological excavations since 1892 have been exhibited in a chronological order.

Gedük, who stated that there are works to be seen for the first time in the exhibition, said, "One of the biggest reasons for us to hold these temporary exhibitions is to tell the stories of the works preserved in the warehouses of our museums with different angles and concepts by changing their place in the showcases. In this sense, this exhibition we held in Kars is very special. I invite all our people to this exhibition."

Ani Archaeological Site Excavation Director Assoc. Prof. Dr. Muhammet Arslan also stated that Ani, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List, is especially important in terms of Turkish-Islamic history in Anatolia.

Explaining that scientific archaeological excavations, restoration, conservation and landscaping works in Ani are continuing, Arslan noted the following:

"We have opened our 2025 excavation season within the scope of both the 'Legacy for the Future' project of our Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the investment program, and we continue our work. This exhibition allows this world to be introduced, visited by all segments of society, and these works to be brought to light and promoted. We aim for this exhibition, which we have organized in partnership with Kars Museum within the scope of the '102nd year of our Republic' project, to contribute to 'Ani' awareness. Ani is a 5000-year-old city. In other words, it has been the scene of settlement since the Late Chalcolithic Age and has survived a period of 5000 years until today. The works here undoubtedly include findings related to daily life from the early ages of Ani."

Kars Archaeology and Ethnography Museum Director Hakim Aslan stated that the works unearthed in the excavations that started in 1892 and continued until 2024 were exhibited, and that 196 of the 244 works in the exhibition were meeting with art lovers for the first time.