Spanish
The underwater heritage expert toured the site with Dominican authorities within the framework of international cooperation
Puerto Plata.– The Turkish archaeologist Harun Özdaş, an internationally recognized specialist in underwater cultural heritage, toured the ruins of the historical site of La Isabela, on the north coast of the country, as part of a visit aimed at technical exchange and the strengthening of international cooperation in archaeological research.
The visit took place within the framework of the Dominican State's efforts to advance the eventual nomination of La Isabela as World Heritage Site before UNESCO.
The expert was accompanied by a delegation consisting of the Turkish Ambassador to the Dominican Republic, Emriye Bağdagül Ormancı; the head of protocol Turgay Akcebe; the diplomatic assistant Cansu Anur, and the director of Underwater Cultural Heritage of the Ministry of Culture, Pedro Morales. Doctor Özdaş is a professor at Dokuz Eylül University, in İzmir, and directs the Institute of Marine Sciences and Technology and the Underwater Cultural Heritage and Maritime History Research Center, as well as chairing the Committee for the Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage of the Turkish National Commission for UNESCO. Özdaş has led research projects on underwater heritage in Turkey, including the one known as “Blue Heritage / Patrimonio Azul”, aimed at the inventory of shipwrecks in Turkish waters. During the tour, Dominican authorities highlighted the relevance of the underwater heritage associated with La Isabela as a key component within the technical file being prepared for its nomination. This approach seeks to reinforce the exceptional universal value of the site, by incorporating submerged material evidence linked to the first years of the European presence on the continent. Founded in 1493 during Christopher Columbus's second voyage, La Isabela was the first permanent European settlement in America. Its historical importance lies in the fact that it preserves archaeological remains from the beginning of the colonization process, including structures, material remains, and traces of early urbanism. Currently, the site is on the Indicative List of the Dominican Republic, an indispensable preliminary step for the formal presentation of a candidacy to UNESCO.You may be interested in: Roberto Ángel reaffirms the country's commitment to culture as a development axis before UNESCO
The presence of Özdaş is part of a cooperation agenda that seeks to facilitate the exchange of knowledge, technical assistance, and comparative experiences in the management of underwater cultural heritage, with a view to strengthening national capacities in this area. In that context, the Ministry of Culture, under the management of Minister Roberto Ángel Salcedo, has promoted a policy of openness to international collaboration on different cultural fronts. These initiatives have included alliances with experts, academic institutions, and multilateral organizations for the development of research, conservation, and heritage valorization projects, as well as technical support in global processes such as nominations to UNESCO.
