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Leading archaeologists from around the world convened in Ankara for the International Archaeology Symposium, jointly organized by the Presidency of Türkiye and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The event brought together over 250 experts, including 29 from abroad, and featured presentations by 33 academics, 17 of whom were international scholars. The symposium was opened by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the Nation’s Library in Bestepe and included the launch of the Golden Age of Archaeology exhibition.
The opening session featured presentations moderated by archaeologist Nevzat Cevik, with contributions from Professor Charles Brian Rose, head of excavations at Gordion; Professor Feristah Alanyali, head of excavations at Side ancient city; and Professor Necmi Karul, coordinator of the Tas Tepeler Project and head of excavations at Gobeklitepe and Karahantepe.
Professor Charles Brian Rose, an American archaeologist and longtime contributor to archaeological work in Türkiye, underlined that Türkiye’s emphasis on conservation sets it apart globally. He noted that allocating over half of fieldwork time to preservation is uncommon worldwide and praised the country’s dedication to architectural conservation.
“In the past, excavation directors were more focused on new discoveries, often neglecting existing structures. Now, not only do we preserve what we excavate, but we also restore structures unearthed by previous teams,” he said, adding, “The success Türkiye has achieved in adding archaeological sites to the UNESCO World Heritage List is therefore no surprise.”
Rose, who has worked in Türkiye for 46 years, described the country as his second home. His career began as a student in Aphrodisias, continued with 25 years at Troy, and has included 18 years at Gordion. He highlighted that working in Türkiye allowed him to gain expertise across a wide historical spectrum, from the Early Bronze Age to the Late Byzantine period, and helped him teach a wide range of topics at American universities. “Had I not worked in Türkiye, I could not have reached my current position,” he said.
Professor Feristah Alanyali, who leads the excavations at Side, shared developments under the Heritage for the Future Project, which began in Side. She emphasized that their efforts have extended beyond documentation and restoration, helping to expand the archaeological borders of the ancient city.
Previously limited to the area surrounding the Roman theater, the excavation zone has since been broadened, including improvements to visitor facilities. The site now welcomes tourists in multiple languages, including Chinese and Russian, enhancing its international visibility. Alanyali also noted the increasing role of technology and artificial intelligence in fieldwork, pointing out that emerging archaeologists are adapting beyond what is taught in classrooms. “Young archaeologists are discovering that university training alone is not enough and are turning to technology to advance their skills,” she said.
Professor Necmi Karul, who heads the Tas Tepeler Project and oversees excavations at Gobeklitepe and Karahantepe, emphasized the importance of preserving archaeology’s scientific mission. He warned against overemphasizing tourism as a justification for archaeological work, stating that such a shift risks compromising the field’s integrity.
“Tourism is just one outcome of archaeology. If we push the argument beyond this, we risk stepping away from our field,” he said. Karul noted that despite growing public interest in the Tas Tepeler region, they have not faced any pressure to excavate sites purely for tourism appeal. “No one has told us to open specific areas to attract more tourists,” he added, stressing that archaeologists must distinguish clearly between scientific and touristic agendas.
Karul also discussed the broader ecosystem surrounding archaeological productivity, highlighting that the discipline’s advancement depends not only on archaeologists but also on socio-political conditions. He observed that Türkiye's archaeological community has become less integrated with the global academic world over the past two to three decades, a trend affecting both Turkish and foreign researchers.
Karul concluded by pointing to the opportunity provided by national initiatives such as the Heritage for the Future Project. He believes such frameworks could help archaeologists refocus on producing science-based knowledge, rather than serving external agendas. “If such projects are truly to become a legacy, they should be regularly updated and aimed at scientific progress,” he said.
The three-day symposium continues with further presentations and discussions that are expected to deepen international collaboration and spotlight Türkiye’s growing prominence in global archaeological research.
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