Page 52 - NIRVANA OF NATURE ANTALYA

Cedar Tree

Imagine a living being that has witnessed the rise This vessel, too, was constructed from cedarwood. As a
and fall of the Roman Empire, the Byzantine Empi- result, cedar timber was as valuable in antiquity as oil
re, the Seljuk Empire, and the Ottoman Empire. It has is today. Countries with cedar forests had the potential
even seen the birth of the Republic of Türkiye and its to dominate the Mediterranean. Roman general Marcus
development to this day. In this photograph, you see a Antonius gifted the ancient Olba Region, exceptionally
2000-year-old cedar tree alongside a 40-year-old hu- rich in cedar forests, to his lover Cleopatra to strengt-
man, a mere blip in the tree's millennia-long existence. hen the Egyptian navy. Due to the immense value of
cedarwood, it became the first living species for which
One can only imagine the countless winters and sum- a nature protection law was enacted worldwide.
mers this cedar tree has witnessed. The tales of love,
war, and intrigue it has silently observed are beyond Cedar trees are a species capable of thriving at elevati-
comprehension. It is for this reason that people throu- ons above 1,000 meters, forming vast cedar forests that
ghout history have held such deep respect for these blanket mountain peaks. How did ancient civilizations
ancient trees, often perceiving them as immortal bein- transport these towering trees from high mountain sum-
gs. Across the ages, they have imbued these venerable mits to the coastline under the conditions of that era?
trees with profound meaning, weaving countless stories
around their enduring presence. During those times, rivers served as a primary mode
of transportation. People would fell cedar trees and cast
If we were to board a time machine and travel back to them into rivers, allowing the current to carry the logs
those periods, we would see numerous ships along the downstream, where they would be collected at the sho-
Mediterranean coast. Commerce in those days was pri- res. These logs would then be transported by ships to
marily conducted by sea, with vessels navigating along shipyards, where they were transformed into seafaring
the coastal routes. For instance, a ship departing from vessels.
Egypt would traverse the entire Middle East and Me-
diterranean coast, making port calls at various harbors. The bond between humans and cedar trees extended
It would unload cargo at some ports and take on new far beyond mere utility. Cedar forests were revered as
cargo at others, thus contributing to the vibrant mariti- sacred spaces. In ancient times, people would gather
me trade in the Mediterranean. Ships in those days were beneath cedar trees for meaningful conversations, and
constructed from wood, with the most durable ones be- they planted these revered cedars as markers on their
ing crafted from cedarwood. This is because cedar tre- gravesites. Cedar is also recognized as a tree with a
es possess exceptional resistance to moisture and have high fragrance energy. Among the Hittites, cedar was
long, branchless trunks. considered sacred, and incense made from cedarwood
was burned in their temples. The immense value of ce-
The Uluburun Shipwreck, the world's oldest shipwre- darwood led to conflicts between ancient superpowers,
ck, has remarkably remained intact at the bottom of the with wars erupting over the control of cedar forests.
sea off the coast of Kaş for approximately 3,300 years.

NIRVANA MEDITERRANEAN EXCELLENCE

DNA DOĞANIN NİRVANASI ANTALYA 53