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Japanese archaeologist who studied origins of ironmaking in Turkey dies NHK

A: Hey buddy! You heard about our old friend Omura?

B: Nope, what's up with him?

A: Sad news, pal. He passed away at 78. Born in Morioka, Japan, he spent most of his life studying ancient ironmaking in Turkey.

B: Oh man, I remember his project on the Kaman-Kalehoyuk ruins! That's been going for over 40 years now!

A: Exactly! And guess what? His team found pieces of metal there from around 24th to 22nd centuries BC. They think it could be the world's oldest artificial iron!

B: Wow, that's a huge discovery! I can't believe he was instrumental in setting up the Japanese Institute of Anatolian Archaeology too.

A: Absolutely! He trained many researchers and students there, even helped build a museum for all the artifacts they found. He really promoted Turkish archaeology.

B: I heard he was in Tokyo recently to share his latest findings...

A: Yes, unfortunately that's where we lost him. He fell ill in Turkey on Tuesday and passed away at a hospital.

B: That's such a shame. Rest in peace, Omura! What an incredible life he lived!
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Japanese archaeologist Omura Sachihiro, who studied the origins of ironmaking in Turkey, has died. He was 78.



Omura was born in the northern Japanese city of Morioka. After graduating from Waseda University, he went to study in Turkey and took part in numerous archaeological surveys.



He led a project to unearth the Kaman-Kalehoyuk ruins in central Turkey for 40 years from 1985.



Omura's team discovered pieces of metal at the site from a stratum dating from the 24th to the 22nd centuries B.C. The team announced that the findings could be the world's oldest artificial iron.



Omura served as head of the Japanese Institute of Anatolian Archaeology, an affiliate of the Middle Eastern Culture Center in Japan. The institute was set up near the Kaman-Kalehoyuk site in 1998.



Omura trained researchers and students as archaeologists, and helped open a museum to display the unearthed artifacts. He played a key role in promoting Turkish archaeology.



Omura was in Tokyo in March to report on his latest findings.



Institute officials say Omura fell ill on Tuesday in Turkey, and died at the hospital where he was taken.
Summary
Japanese archaeologist Omura Sachihiro, aged 78, died. Born in Morioka, Japan, he spent decades studying ironmaking origins in Turkey. His project at the Kaman-Kalehoyuk ruins spanned over 40 years and yielded potential world's oldest artificial iron. He led the Japanese Institute of Anatolian
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ID: e0cc615c-2c41-4756-b55a-bc3e4dbecdc1

Category ID: nhk

URL: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20250521_16/

Date: May 21, 2025

Created: 2025/05/22 07:12

Updated: 2025/12/08 03:59

Last Read: 2025/05/22 07:20