Muazzez İlmiye Çığ passed away on November 17, 2024, in Mersin.
On November 17, 2024, Muazzez İlmiye Çığ passed away in Mersin at the venerable age of 110. Her death marked the end of an era for Turkish archaeology and culture, as she had been a pivotal figure in the study of Sumerian civilization. Her passing was a moment of reflection not only for her family and friends but also for the many individuals across the world who had been touched by her extensive scholarly work and passionate advocacy for secularism. Her death was widely mourned in obituaries that celebrated her legacy as a pioneering female scholar who broke barriers in the early to mid-20th century.