Beneath the water lies a hidden record of civilization
Cultural heritage is not something we inherit from the past; it is something we borrow from the future. Whether beneath the sea or along ancient routes of exchange, our responsibility is the same: to protect, understand, and pass it on with integrity.
Exploring history beneath the surface
Hakan Bulgurlu is the President of the Mediterranean Archaeology Association, an organization dedicated to the protection, study, and advancement of cultural heritage across the Mediterranean region. His commitment to archaeology is rooted not in formality, but in a lifelong relationship with the sea, one shaped early by curiosity, respect for nature, and lived experience along the coast.
That connection began in childhood summers on Büyükada. Long before sunrise, Bulgurlu would wake at dawn to join local fishermen at sea, learning their craft and absorbing the rhythms of life on the water. Those early mornings, hauling nets, witnessing the generosity of the sea, and later helping sell the day’s catch at the market, instilled a deep appreciation for nature’s richness and fragility. What began as a child’s excitement evolved into a lasting bond with the maritime world, grounding his understanding of stewardship, continuity, and responsibility.
What lies beneath the sea must be understood where it belongs, protected in situ, and respected as part of humanity’s shared memory.
Safeguarding a Shared Legacy
Our commitment to cultural and natural heritage is grounded in a shared conviction: protection, research, and public access must advance together. This belief has taken institutional form through the Mediterranean Archaeology Association, founded in Antalya by a collective of archaeologists, business leaders, and tourism professionals who recognized the urgency of safeguarding the Mediterranean’s underwater legacy.
We work to recover, study, and protect cultural heritage resting beneath the sea, while ensuring it is responsibly returned to society through science, transparency, and care. Our focus extends across both land-based and underwater archaeology, reflecting a holistic approach to preservation that treats heritage not as static history, but as a living responsibility.
Under the scientific leadership of Professor Hakan Öniz of Akdeniz University, and with the contribution of PhD students and researchers from around the world, our projects shed light on the Mediterranean’s long-standing role in trade, economics, and cultural exchange. From large-scale excavations such as the Adrasan Ceramic Shipwreck to ongoing work at Kumluca and Kekova, we combine rigorous field research with museum-grade conservation and restoration.
Beyond excavation, we invest in the infrastructure that makes long-term preservation possible. We support authorized conservation laboratories, contribute to museum and archeopark initiatives, and advance education and training programs that strengthen international expertise in underwater archaeology. The construction of the Mediterranean Underwater Archaeology Museum in Kemer marks a significant step in ensuring that this shared heritage is not only protected, but accessible to future generations.
Through public partnerships, academic collaboration, and responsible private-sector engagement, we aim to demonstrate that cultural heritage protection is not an isolated academic pursuit. It is a collective responsibility, one that connects past, present, and future, and requires sustained commitment to ensure the Mediterranean’s legacy endures with integrity.