the first specimen of turkish coal was brought from ereğli to istanbul in 1822, but nothing was done for exploration and exploitation of this coal. however, in 1829, another specimen of coal was brought to istanbul by uzun (long) mehmet, a sailor and native of the village of kestaneci, near ereğli. this time attention was given to the discovery and the sailor received a reward of a life pension, but before he could benefit from this reward he was murdered.