Discovery Channel filming historical documentary in southeastern Turkey

By Rauf Maltas

SANLIURFA, Turkey (AA) – Discovery Channel is filming a documentary in the historically significant Turkish province of Sanliurfa, where Gobeklitepe, regarded as the zero point in time, is located.

Gobeklitepe, the world's first temple, has been featured in UNESCO’S World Heritage List for more than three years. It has been the subject of numerous books, movies, TV series, animations, and documentaries.

It also has been the focus of many famous local and international scriptwriters and directors.

Also, the Karahantepe archaeological site has recently started attracting serious attention thanks to the Turkish Culture and Tourism Ministry’s active promotion campaign.

The Karahantepe and Sanliurfa Archaeological Museum will be filmed in the Discovery Channel documentary.

Sait Yardimci, head of the Turkish Film Commission and producer, told Anadolu Agency that they aim to contribute to Turkey’s promotion by cooperating with international film and production teams.

Documentaries are more important than movies or TV series for promotional efforts as they are based on facts, he said.

Andrew Johns, project coordinator of Discovery Channel, expressed his pleasure at being in Sanliurfa.

“ Exciting to film in where human history started,” he said.

​​​​​​​* Writing by Ahmet Gencturk