We spent the morning at Topkapı Palace, which is an old sultan palace from the Ottoman Empire here in Istanbul. It was first constructed in 1459 after the fall of Constantinople and was in use until the 1920's. The Imperial Treasury just boggles the mind. There was a diamond that was 86 carats and if that wasn't impressive enough, it was surrounded by 49 more diamonds (which were smaller of course). It could have probably been the size of my palm. There were diamonds, rubies, and gold on so many different things.... on the outside and INSIDE of a bowl. There were brooches that were larger than my hand. Even the circumcision room was impressive with its elaborate tiles.
Later today, we'll be leaving Turkey and making our way down to Alanya and Gazipaşa by bus -- a 14 hour bus ride. Hopefully I'll get some sleep but also see inland Turkey by moonlight.
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nothing fake... just a diary of my travels in Turkey.
Susan
About Me
The WHERE and WHY:
My art history professor, Professor Rhys Townsend, invited me and a few other students to work on the Antiocheia ad Cragum Archaeological Research Project. Antiocheia ad Cragum is located on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey in the area known as Rough Cilicia. It is an archaeological site that dates back to Ancient Roman times. This project is concerned with the Ancient Roman temple that occupies the site. The temple, however, is in ruins. Our objectives are the study and reconstruction of the temple.
As a student, my work will be going into:
1. taking photographs of the many blocks
2. sketching each face of the blocks
3. producing architectural drawings of the blocks (which includes taking accurate measurements of its significant details)
However, while most of the people on the project have a background in art history, I also have a background in chemistry. As a double major in the two areas, my professor has asked me to try to characterize/chemically analyze the marble from the temple and local quarries in hopes to determine where the marble originated.
As a student, my work will be going into:
1. taking photographs of the many blocks
2. sketching each face of the blocks
3. producing architectural drawings of the blocks (which includes taking accurate measurements of its significant details)
However, while most of the people on the project have a background in art history, I also have a background in chemistry. As a double major in the two areas, my professor has asked me to try to characterize/chemically analyze the marble from the temple and local quarries in hopes to determine where the marble originated.
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