In an unveiling at the Çorum Museum in Turkey, a 3,500-year-old linen fabric fragment was exhibited for the first time.
Discovered by chance during excavation works in 1995 at the Şapinuva archaeological site in Çorum's Ortaköy district, the fragment was found stuck to a pottery fragment measuring 24x20 centimeters. The excavation was led by Prof. Dr. Mustafa Süel and Prof. Dr. Aygül Süel. "A 3x3 centimeter piece of linen woven and used about 4,000 years ago is a very important find. It was preserved without air and reached us," Prof. Dr. Aygül Süel noted, as reported by Star.
The fabric underwent thorough examinations at Middle East Technical University and Ankara University, confirming its origin as a linen piece dating back to the 14th century BCE. Following these analyses, it was placed under protection in the Çorum Museum's depot. The artifact stands as one of the very few examples of textile work salvaged in archaeological excavations in Turkey.
"This gives a very valuable message about the fact that the civilization living here 3,500 years ago was a civilization that could produce such artifacts and products. Hopefully, many visitors will come to see this," Çorum Governor Ali Çalgan stated, according to En Son Haber.
Governor Çalgan also paid tribute to the late Prof. Dr. Mustafa Süel, acknowledging his pivotal role in the excavation. "We also commemorate our excavation chief, Professor Dr. Mustafa Süel, with mercy. It is an artifact found in an excavation under his leadership, and our professor was also in that team. It has been subjected to universities and scientific research, and it has been revealed that it is 3,500 years old," he said, according to En Son Haber.
The article was written with the assistance of a news analysis system.