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natural stone industry, where Burdur Beige is today a trademark in the global markets for marble because of it flexible and wide spread application in a variety of architectural settings and public spaces.
prehısTorıc rooTs
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1. burdur-gur beıge (yeşilovayarışlı köyü) 2. moonstone cream (burdur merkez-yayladibi köyü) 3. SagalaSSoS beıge grey (burdur ağlasunyumurtaş köyü) 4. crema saray (yeşilovabaşkuyu)
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As is the case for almost all Anatolian cities in Turkey, Burdur’s history goes back to ancient times. The archeological excavations supervised by Prof. J. Mellaart in Hacılar and by Prof. Refik Duru, in Kuruçay Höyük and Bucak Höyücek Höyük, have revealed findings from the Neolithic Ages, as far as back as 7000 BC. The first artistic marble discoveries in Burdur are the soil-marble mix violin figures that have been dated to the Chalcolithic Age or Copper Age from 4500 BC. The Burdur Archeological Museum where artifacts from 9000 years of human existence are on display, has an array of collections including numerous stone and marble-made handcrafts from antique cities found in Burdur such as Kibyra, Kremna and Sagalossos. These cities, all of which are important centers of civilization dating from prehistoric to Hellenistic times, show widespread use of marble in their art and architecture. Kibyra, a town with roots dating back to 300 BC which has features of Greek and Lycian civilization, has marble friezes lining its road of monuments that led to the ancient city’s arena. Numerous statues of gods and goddesses are carved out of marble in Kremna, a colony under the rule of the Roman Empire in Hellenistic times. A 4 meter high monument in the beige marble is a major archaeological remnant in the ancient Roman city of Sagalossos, made in honor of the Great Alexander under the order of Emperor Augustus. All of these ancient sites make use of the local Burdur marble. With the expansion of Greek civilization in the Hellenistic period to places such as Burdur the cream and beige marbles of medium to fine-grains found in the area were favored for their sparkle. The popularity of the cream colored Burdur marble in ancient civilizations has extended to our day where today it is once again a popular marble with worldwide recognition. A quality that resonated long ago in the sculptures of ancient gods and emperors is now a popular stone used in many public settings.
a FlexıBle and duraBle marBle A harder and more resistant marble, Burdur Beige is known for its sun, water and acid resistant qualities. The MAYIS-HAZİRAN / MAY-JUNE 2011 • NATURA 45