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.
What lies beneath the sea must be understood where it belongs, protected in situ, and respected as part of humanity’s shared memory.
A Responsibility Passed From One Generation To The Next
Equally formative was the influence of the women who shaped his life. Raised by a mother who is both an archaeologist and an environmentalist, Bulgurlu grew up immersed in conversations about history, preservation, and humanity’s relationship with its environment.
Her guidance laid the foundations of his values and purpose, reinforcing the belief that protecting cultural and natural heritage is not only an academic pursuit, but a responsibility passed from one generation to the next.
This perspective later found institutional expression through the Mediterranean Archaeology Association. Founded in Antalya by a collective of archaeologists, business leaders, and tourism professionals, the Association works to advance scientific research in coastal and underwater archaeology.
Under the scientific leadership of Professor Hakan Öniz of Akdeniz University, and with the contribution of PhD students from around the world, its projects shed light on the history of trade, economics, and culture while safeguarding invaluable cultural heritage for future generations.
The Association supports excavations, conservation and restoration laboratories, museum and archeopark initiatives, and educational programs, operating across both land-based and underwater cultural heritage to ensure that the Mediterranean’s legacy is studied, protected, and responsibly integrated into contemporary life.