We are pleased to announce that the Turkish Cultural Foudation has decided to designate Çatalhöyük as a grassroots project to raise awareness in the United States about the importance of this site to Anatolia’s history and to mankind and to help raise funds for its preservation.
Çatalhöyük, a stop on our TCF Teacher Study Tours, was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2012. The only Neolithic site on the UNESCO list from the Middle East, Çatalhöyük holds universal value for our understanding of the way of life in early agricultural settlements. Unfortunately, the UNESCO designation means extra recognition and added responsibilities for the Çatalhöyük excavation team, but brings no additional funding.
The ultimate aim of the Çatalhöyük Research Project is to leave behind a well-planned heritage site that enhances the visitors’ knowledge in numerous ways, including a conservation laboratory, a museum to hold the artifacts and a model house to enable visitors to experience Neolithic homes without damaging the ancient structures.
The TCF hopes through Individual donations by our participating teachers to support Çatalhöyük. From now to the end of 2013, TCF will accept ear-marked donations for Çatalhöyük without deducting any portion of the donation. TCF is a 50(c)3 public charitable organization and donations are fully tax-deductible under US laws.
