Documentation and Sustainability of Construction Techniques for the Protection of Cultural Heritage: Kitchen Hearths and Chimneys in Traditional Diyarbakır Houses

Abstract

This article analyses the construction techniques of the kitchen hearths (fireplaces) and chimneys in the kitchens of traditional Diyarbakır (Turkey) houses. The first part of the study examines the historical development of kitchens. The second part investigates the architectural features of the kitchens of traditional Diyarbakır houses and the construction techniques and smoke evacuation methods of the hearths and chimneys in these kitchens. For this purpose, the hearths and chimneys of traditional kitchens, which are still used in their original form, and those of the demolished houses have been examined. They all have been documented by drawings and photographs. This study aims to contribute to the documentation and sustainability of cultural heritage and traditional construction techniques, and to guide the restoration practices that will be carried out in Suriçi.