Yesemek Open Air Museum

Yesemek was the largest stone quarry and statue-processing worksite of Near East between the forth quarter of the 2nd thousand B.C. and 8th century B.C. Its on Karatepe Hills of Yesemek Village 22 kms southeast of Islahiye.The region was ruled by Hittite between 1375-1335 BC. in this period in the Emperor of Suppilluma I the administration of the workshop was started where local people were working. In the worksite where activities are slowed down for a while, studies again ganied speed during late Hittite Kingdoms Period. During new period especially Hittite, Syrian, Aromi and Assyrian Art Elements gained importance. This style, which is named as Oriantalism, formed the core of The Greek Art by affecting Agean cultures. It’s known that the activities of the worksite was ended by Assyrians and the masters were taken to Assyriain the last quarter of the 8th century. Everything stayed still and the time is like frozen till 1890. In the open-air museum where nearly 300 scetch pieces of statues were digged out and exhibited in an order. most of the sketches are constitutedby gate lions.