5
The solution suggestions for meerschaum mining and
carving activities are given below (Yavuz, 2010)
The raw material problem should be solved. The pic-
ture below shows an image of the completed meerschaum
wells (Figure 6). There are three levels of meerschaum in
the field. The productions made are only the first-level pro-
ductions close to the surface. Modern production methods
should be evaluated for the mineral zones in the second and
third levels.
A store should be organized where the products pro-
duced can be exhibited.
A system that provides a profession should be created
under the leadership of the Ministry of National Education
for the future of the profession.
Universities should assist craftsmen who have design
problems.
Financing opportunities should be provided for both
miners and craftsmen working in this sector.
New opportunities should be provided for promotion
and market research outside the country.
CONCLUSIONS
Meerschaum is an important and historical mineral for
Eskisehir and Turkiye. It is also a cultural element. In order
to protect this cultural value, the most appropriate policies
should be developed for both meerschaum production and
processing. The opinions of all parties in the meerschaum
mining and carving sectors should be taken and the most
appropriate policies should be developed in order to solve
the problems.
The fact that meerschaum is a rare mineral is not the
only factor that makes it valuable. The most important ele-
ments that add value to meerschaum are the mastery and
labor used in processing it. Meerschaum mining and pro-
cessing should be saved from traditional methods. A bib-
liography should be created on the studies conducted on
meerschaum.
REFERENCES
[1] Gokdemir, Hande. and Dogan, Mizam (2011), “Using
Meerschaum in Concrete,” Journal of Engineering
and Architecture Faculty of Eskisehir Osmangazi
University, Vol: XXIV, No: 2, pp. 167–182.
[2] Sariiz, Kadir and Isik, Iskender (1995), “Meerschaum
from Eskisehir Povince, Turkey,” Gems &Gemology,
Vol: 31, No: 1, pp. 42–51.
[3] Algan, Ertugrul (2015), “Meerschaum in Eskisehir,”
Anadolu University Journal of Art &Design, Vol: 8,
No: 8, pp. 1–30 (In Turkish).
[4] Nurbiye, Uz (2013), “Stone Carving in the Locality
of Eskişehir with Its Natural and Cultural Properties:
Meerschaum,” Journal of Arts and Humanities, Vol:
2, No: 1, pp. 140–148.
[5] Gungor, Nusret Demir, Behzat, G. and Ozdogan,
Ali, K. (2023), “The Role and Importance of
Meerschaum-Type Sepiolite in the Promotion of
Turkiye,” Eskisehir Technical University Journal
of Science and Technology A-Applied Science and
Engineering, Vol: 24, No: Special Issue, pp. 51–62.
[6] Yavuz, Mahmut (2010), “Problems and Solutions for
Meerschaum Mining in Eskişehir,” Presentation to
the Turkish Grand National Assembly (In Turkish).
Figure 6. Finished meerschaum shafts
The solution suggestions for meerschaum mining and
carving activities are given below (Yavuz, 2010)
The raw material problem should be solved. The pic-
ture below shows an image of the completed meerschaum
wells (Figure 6). There are three levels of meerschaum in
the field. The productions made are only the first-level pro-
ductions close to the surface. Modern production methods
should be evaluated for the mineral zones in the second and
third levels.
A store should be organized where the products pro-
duced can be exhibited.
A system that provides a profession should be created
under the leadership of the Ministry of National Education
for the future of the profession.
Universities should assist craftsmen who have design
problems.
Financing opportunities should be provided for both
miners and craftsmen working in this sector.
New opportunities should be provided for promotion
and market research outside the country.
CONCLUSIONS
Meerschaum is an important and historical mineral for
Eskisehir and Turkiye. It is also a cultural element. In order
to protect this cultural value, the most appropriate policies
should be developed for both meerschaum production and
processing. The opinions of all parties in the meerschaum
mining and carving sectors should be taken and the most
appropriate policies should be developed in order to solve
the problems.
The fact that meerschaum is a rare mineral is not the
only factor that makes it valuable. The most important ele-
ments that add value to meerschaum are the mastery and
labor used in processing it. Meerschaum mining and pro-
cessing should be saved from traditional methods. A bib-
liography should be created on the studies conducted on
meerschaum.
REFERENCES
[1] Gokdemir, Hande. and Dogan, Mizam (2011), “Using
Meerschaum in Concrete,” Journal of Engineering
and Architecture Faculty of Eskisehir Osmangazi
University, Vol: XXIV, No: 2, pp. 167–182.
[2] Sariiz, Kadir and Isik, Iskender (1995), “Meerschaum
from Eskisehir Povince, Turkey,” Gems &Gemology,
Vol: 31, No: 1, pp. 42–51.
[3] Algan, Ertugrul (2015), “Meerschaum in Eskisehir,”
Anadolu University Journal of Art &Design, Vol: 8,
No: 8, pp. 1–30 (In Turkish).
[4] Nurbiye, Uz (2013), “Stone Carving in the Locality
of Eskişehir with Its Natural and Cultural Properties:
Meerschaum,” Journal of Arts and Humanities, Vol:
2, No: 1, pp. 140–148.
[5] Gungor, Nusret Demir, Behzat, G. and Ozdogan,
Ali, K. (2023), “The Role and Importance of
Meerschaum-Type Sepiolite in the Promotion of
Turkiye,” Eskisehir Technical University Journal
of Science and Technology A-Applied Science and
Engineering, Vol: 24, No: Special Issue, pp. 51–62.
[6] Yavuz, Mahmut (2010), “Problems and Solutions for
Meerschaum Mining in Eskişehir,” Presentation to
the Turkish Grand National Assembly (In Turkish).
Figure 6. Finished meerschaum shafts