Associate Professor Dr. Şükran Öztürk at the Department of Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences at Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University (BEUN) Faculty of Pharmacy and Associate Professor Dr. Fadile Gülden Ekmen at the Department of Archeology at the Teoman Duralı Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences have received wide coverage in the national press, particularly AA, with their project titled “Detention of Antibiotic Resistance and Metagenomic Analysis of Soil Samples from İnönü cave Excavation,” which brings disciplines of Archaeology and Microbiology together.

Under the scope of the studies conducted in cooperation with Karadeniz Ereğli Museum, with the support and permission of the Culture and Tourism Ministry, the contributions of the Rector of BEUN, Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Özölçer, and supervision of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hamza Ekmen, soil samples taken from the cave were analyzed in detail. The genes of antibiotic resistance and ancient bacterial population were found in the studies made by the Ankara University Academic Member Prof. Dr. Emre Keskin and his team members, Esra Mine Ünal and Ayşegül Er Gökçe.

According to the results, it was determined that the community that lived in the caves 5000 years ago experienced gastrointestinal diseases such as nausea, stomachache, vomiting, and diarrhea, and they used coal and its derivatives as a treatment method.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Fadile Gülden Ekmen stated that the findings shed light on the lifestyles, diets, disease profiles, and treatment methods of the people from the Early Bronze Age. She also highlighted that the use of coal didn’t start in the 19th century, but it was known and used by the people in the Zonguldak basin thousands of years ago.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Şükran Öztürk noted that the metagenomic analysis of the soil samples shows that resistance genes are found on three different cultural layers. She said that these findings show that antibiotic resistance is not the problem of our age, but dates back thousands of years.

Öztürk also stressed the importance of the “One Health Approach” in the world, and stated the necessity of a holistic approach towards the health of people, animals, and the ecosystem once more.

The scientific findings that the BEUN academics reached in İnönü Cave have received wide coverage in the national press, particularly in AA. The news attracted great interest as it sheds light on the treatment methods of people in the early ages and the historical use of coal.

BEUN Rector Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Özölçer commented on the study as:

This valuable study, conducted by bringing different disciplines together, contributes not only to the fields of archaeology and microbiology but also to understanding our cultural heritage. The data acquired in the study shows the health and lifestyle of Early Bronze Age communities and emphasizes the historical significance of Zonguldak once again. I believe the results achieved as a result of the devoted work of our academic members will contribute to the scientific knowledge of our country and will be influential in the international fields. Our university will continue to support science, culture, and research that add value to humanity.

For the news in AA: www.aa.com.tr/tr/yasam/zonguldakta-5-bin-yil-once-yasayan-insanlar-mide-rahatsizliklarinin-tedavisi-icin-komur-kullanmis/3685710

For the news in Milliyet: www.milliyet.com.tr/gundem/magarada-5-bin-yillik-sir-insanligin-en-buyuk-korkularindan-biri-tarihi-yeniden-yazacak-7444447

For the news in Haber Global: haberglobal.com.tr/amp/gundem/5-bin-yillik-sir-inonu-magarasinda-ortaya-cikti-478321

For the news in TGRT: www.tgrthaber.com/kultur-sanat/inonu-magarasindaki-5-bin-yillik-sir-ortaya-cikti-bu-hastaliklar-komurle-tedavi-edilm-3248376?s=2#