ARKEOLOJİNİN VE TÜRK DÖNEMİ ARKEOLOJİSİNİN KISA ÖYKÜSÜ

Abstract

The Renaissance in the 15th century led to increased trade between countries and continents, accelerating interaction between societies and leading to a new understanding and way of life. The augmented spending capacity of individuals during a particular epoch instigated a surge in the acquisition of relics and items of historical import. This burgeoning fascination with the past eventually gave rise to a novel field of study that is now recognized as Archaeology. The field of Turkish-Islamic Archaeology is a recent branch of archaeology that is chronologically divided into different fields of study. When considering only archaeological data, the history of the Turks spans approximately 2500 years, despite having a history that extends back thousands of years. The Turks’ first center was in Central Asia, where they emerged onto the stage of history, while their second center was in Anatolia. During the Ottoman period, the Turkish sphere of influence reached its widest borders in terms of the regions under its sovereignty in the world. It is evident that conservation approaches related to historical artifacts and cultural assets in Anatolia began to be implemented during the Ottoman period and in the second half of the 19th century. The most significant development for Turkish archaeology in the early years of the Republic was the dispatch of students abroad to receive training, as requested by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk himself. Upon returning home after completing their studies, the young archaeologists participated in excavations of ancient sites during the early years of their career. Other significant developments for Turkish archaeology include the establishment of the Turkish Historical Society in 1931, the Turkish Archaeological Institute affiliated with Istanbul University in 1934, and the Faculty of Language, History, and Geography in Ankara a year later. At present, Turkish Period Archaeology is represented by 32 excavation in 26 provincial centers, although not yet at the desired number. Institutionalized organizations such as the “International Symposium on Excavations, Research and Archaeometry” and the “Symposium on Excavations and Art History Research in the Middle Ages and Turkish Period” present new scientific discoveries and information to the scientific world every year. The multi-layered archaeological studies conducted in the geographies under the rule of the Ottoman Empire are significant in raising awareness of Turkish Period Archaeology. The addition of new Turkish Period Archaeology studies, which are still insufficient in number, is crucial for comprehending and promoting the historical process in Anatolia. For more detailed information, please refer to the Extended Abstract at the end of the text