Beneath the water lies a hidden record of human 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 human 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.
Journey of a Collector
Bulgurlu’s engagement with cultural heritage also extends beyond the Mediterranean. His interest in the history and culture of the Far East emerged in the mid-1990s during the early years of his professional career, when he spent more than a decade living and working across Asia.
This period marked the beginning of a long-standing relationship with Asian art and antiquities, particularly those connected to the Silk Road—a journey that later culminated in the publication Journey of a Collector Along the Silk Road.
Through this work, Bulgurlu reflects on both the historical significance of these objects and his role as a temporary guardian of a collection shaped by centuries of craftsmanship, belief systems, and cultural exchange.
For Bulgurlu, collecting is not an act of possession, but of contemplation and continuity. Ancient objects offer a means to understand the societies that produced them—the emotions of their makers, the purpose behind their creation, and the stories embedded within even the smallest details.
Revisiting his collection through the process of writing allowed him to renew this connection, reinforcing a conviction that cultural heritage, whether beneath the sea or along historic trade routes, must be preserved with humility, respect, and a long-term sense of stewardship.
Cultural heritage does not belong to individuals; it belongs to humanity, and its protection demands ethical boundaries as firm as the fascination it inspires.