| Description |
Traditional Ahlat Stonework is the knowledge, methods, skills and aesthetic understanding, transmitted from generation to generation for centuries and based on the extraction of volcanic Ahlat stone from the quarries around Ahlat by the stone miners, shaping and ornamenting of the Ahlat stone by stone carvers, and constructing structure and creating artefacts by the practitioners of the element.
Ahlat Stone is a volcanic stone extracted by traditional methods from the foothills of the Mountain Nemrut located near to Ahlat, district of Bitlis province. Stones are extracted from quarries through the "nailing technique" which has been used for centuries. In this technique, the iron wedges are hammered into the rock mass in a straight line and the rock mass is extracted in the desired size and removed as a block. Folk calendar and traditional knowledge of nature have important roles in the extraction of the stone by the stone miners.
The extracted stone is cut and shaped then ornamented by stone carvers with hand-tools. The ornamentation on Ahlat stone is formed by scraping, relief and carving techniques. They are generally used vegetal, geometric and calligraphic shapes that reveal a certain aesthetic understanding transmitted from generation to generation. Building a structure by using Ahlat stone requires special technique and knowledge. The construction of the buildings starts and ends in periods determined according to the traditional folk calendar. Besides the architectural works such as houses, mosques, mausoleums and bridges; the stones are also used in tombstones, inscriptions, fountains and today in various artefacts. |
| Social and cultural significance |
The element has an important role in keeping Ahlat's social and cultural identity alive. Since the centuries, many artefacts and structures such as tombs, tombstones, houses and fountains have been made by Traditional Ahlat Stonework knowledge, technique and skills. Therefore, the element is the most important part of the city identity and image of the city for Ahlat at the local level.
Ahlat is located in the region where Turks entered Anatolia in the 11th century. The architectural tradition and ornamentation of tombstones which have been continued uninterruptedly since the 12th century by using the element strengthen the sense of cultural continuity of the society at the national level.
Traditional Ahlat houses constructed by Ahlat stones not only represents an architectural style but also reflects family life, communication between families and social life. Therefore, the element has a strong social function. Furthermore, ornamented tombstones made of Ahlat stone are examples of the social and cultural relationship between death and life in human life. Verses, religious texts, poems and motifs on the tombstones are mediums of cultural expression.
Until recently the element has been one of the main sources of income for the people in Ahlat. Therefore, local people still give importance to the element in their social life. There are many examples of oral folk literature such as poems, riddles, lullabies and legends on Ahlat Stonework. The historical structures and artefacts made by using Ahlat Stonework tradition contribute significantly to Ahlat's tourism and strengthen the socio-economic life with all these aspects. |
| Transmission method |
Traditional knowledge, skills and practices of the element are transmitted in a master-apprentice relationship.
As the masters in the future apprentices working with their masters have a transmission role in sustaining the element. Apprentices practicing the element with their masters could become a master in the selection of proper Ahlat stone and extraction of it by using nailing technique within a few years. It takes at least 7-8 years for an apprentice to learn the streak of Ahlat stone, using hand tools, ornament techniques, traditional architecture and construction techniques. Learning the element with its all aspects requires much longer process-based experience in mastership. It is usually a common transmission of the element from father to.
However, their sons and apprentices are equal to their masters. There is a tradition of greenlight in the transmission of the element. The master gives approval (greenlight) to his apprentices, whom he considers to become a master. During the approval, a short ceremony also takes place. The new master kisses his master's hand as a symbol of respect and appreciation, prayers are recited, delights are eaten together or dinner is organised. The master declares to everyone that his apprentice is a master from now on and he could stand surety for the quality of his works in the future.
In recent years, non-formal training has also played a role in the transmission of the element. Several vocational courses are organized by local administrations and public institutions. |
| Community |
Concerned communities and relevant group of the element are people who maintain Ahlat stonework with traditional techniques, knowledge, methods and materials. There are three main groups in this concerned communities: The first is the stone miners, known as the "Taş İşçisi", who extracts stones from quarries using traditional methods. The second is the stone carvers who shape and ornament the quarried stones. There is also another group in the stone carvers who is motif designers and are called "Motifci". The third is stonemasons who build structures by shaping stones with various hand tools. Bearers and practitioners in the second and third groups are referred to as "Taş Ustası". There are also persons who able to practise the element with the traditional knowledge and skills of the three main groups. These people called as Master of Stonework “Taş İşçiliği Ustası”. |
| Type of UNESCO List |
List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding |
| Incribed year in UNESCO List |
2022 |
