OPENING OF MASS GRAVE FAILS TO SATISFY HISTORIAN

Today’s Zaman, Turkey
April 25 2007

Yusuf Halacoðlu of the Turkish Historical Society (TTK) and
historian David Gaunt of Sodertorns University College in Sweden in a
collaborative effort opened a mass grave on Monday in the southeastern
town of Nusaybin, which Armenian historians say may contain the remains
of victims of the alleged 1915 genocide of Armenians at the hands of
the Ottoman Empire.

Nevertheless the endeavor didn’t seem to be satisfactory for Gaunt,
who refused to collect earth or bone samples from the grave.

Speaking to reporters following an examination of the site, Halacoðlu
said Gaunt told him that the grave they had exposed was not the one
he had planned to analyze, causing Gaunt to refuse to collect any
samples. Halacoðlu, who argues that the remains are from Roman times,
however, said he had collected samples, which would be scientifically
analyzed.

The mass grave in Nusaybin was discovered by villagers in August
2006. The area where the mass grave lies is on an ancient line of
defense works and underground storage rooms dating back to Roman times.

Gaunt expressed disappointment at a joint press conference following
the grave opening. "My impression is that this grave is one in which
no scientific research can be carried out. The grave has undergone
numerous changes so it is not recognizable. Consequently, I have to say
that this grave is not suitable for scientific research. As a result,
we can say nothing but that this grave is not the one we intended to
research." However, Gaunt added that this could be a start for joint
research with Halacoðlu in the future.

–Boundary_(ID_5SZ6eFHHbV9nmGhoMTTpcA)–

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress