Publics, Archaeologies and Ways of Seeing: From Whom Are We Protecting the Archaeological Assets? (20 min)
Presenters
Işılay Gürsu, British Institute at Ankara
Abstract
This talk will present the
synthesized results of a long-term research initiative by the British Institute
at Ankara (BIAA) that aimed at understanding the multilayered relationship
between archaeology and society in Turkey, a country with a rich heritage but
with many challenges regarding its safeguarding. BIAA’s work culminated in
several projects such as the “Living Amid the Ruins: Archaeological Sites As
Hubs of Sustainable Development for Local Communities in Southwest Turkey,” the
“Pisidia Heritage Trail,” and the Europa Nostra award-winning “Safeguarding
Archaeological Assets of Turkey (SARAT)” projects. Each project’s goals and
scope were set at different spatial and social scales, from individual to
national policymaking, and used multiple methodologies to achieve their
results. However, the common thread connecting them has been the emphasis on
understanding public perception of archaeology. These projects have generated a
nuanced picture of how people are affected by, think about, and behave toward
archaeology, archaeologists, and archaeological remains. The most important
outcome of the initiative has been to demonstrate that, while general knowledge
of archaeology is low, Turkey’s archaeological heritage triggers intense
curiosity and spurs creative narratives about the past and is assigned a high
intangible value. Channeling this interest to safeguard heritage against
serious threats, including a rapidly expanding construction industry, endemic
illicit excavations, armed conflict, as well as climate crisis seems to be an
ideal way forward. This talk will highlight different qualities of this
interest and promote it as a potential resource for the future of
archaeological assets in Turkey.
AIA-6H