(Photo by BULENT KILIC/AFP via Getty Images) Residents are being moved from the ancient town to a 'New Hasankeyf' nearby, while historic artefacts have also been transported out of the area. Old city has been abandoned, government cut electricity and water, the historic market, has been destroyed and disappear during last days. Authorities have started to move some historic monuments, and have already destroyed others. Despite years of protests by residents and activists, the small village on the banks of the Tigris River will soon be underwater as part of a controversial dam project. People visit abandoned houses of the ancient city of Hasankeyf which will soon be underwater as part of a controversial dam project, on February 24, 2020. The dam is now 20-25% full, according to the Hasankeyf Coordination group, Reuters reported, and the water will likely rise around another 164 feet in coming months. Many locals have left Hasankeyf, many of them relocating to Yeni Hasankeyf, a new town on a nearby hill which will sit on the shores of a newly created lake once the dam is completely filled, Reuters reported.
The water levels around the town have already risen 49.2 feet, and will continue rising at a rate of 5.9 inches a day or 3.4 feet a month.Īccording to Reuters, “the Ilisu Dam forms a strategic portion of Turkey’s Southeastern Anatolia Project, designed to spur economic growth in its poorest and least developed area.” The city holds a bridge held to be the largest from the Medieval period, and a variety of surviving, sacred mosques from the 14th century.Īfter years of setbacks, the dam is online and started filling in July 2019. With a history that spans nine civilizations built in the heart of the Fertile Crescent, the ancient town holds archaeological and religious significance. Hasankeyf was designated a conservation area by Turkey in 1981. A Kurdish village guard waits to block the entrance to the ancient city of Hasankeyf which will be soon under water as part of a controversial dam project, on February 24, 2020.