Tag: project

Climate and Environment, Excavation, Material Science

Zooarchaeology

Our approach to zooarchaeology, the study of ancient faunal remains, investigates the intimate relationships among humans, animals, and landscapes. From archival sources, such as Hittite texts and Ottoman records, we have a rich narrative of animal histories in this landscape. Researchers working with excavated contexts from Kaymakçı unpack the nature of domestication, wild, and exotic assemblages, such as pig, goat, sheep, cattle, plus rabbit, deer, fish, bird as well as large cats, a bear, and even one example of a massive mammal, likely a hippo or whale. In addition, researchers have explored the importance of the heritage of transhumance in the region, such as that of the Yörük as well as “people of the mountain.” We’re also very keen on the shifting patterns in foodways since the mid-20th century and the changes from the influx of globalization.

Digital, Excavation

Volumetric (3D) Recording

A key innovation of the Kaymakçı Archaeological Project (KAP) in developing the KAP Recording System in 2014 was its process of recording archaeological excavation in volumetric, 3D detail. Adopting a digital photogrammetric approach that leveraged quickly advancing Structure from Motion (SfM) processing via Agisoft software, field methods intend to enable highly accurate spatial documentation of excavation units (“spatial contexts”) using only digital tools. This means that time-consuming positional measurements using tape measures, string levels, and the like—not to mention pencil and paper—are unnecessary while in the field, because they can be calculated on the fly and whenever necessary from the fully digitized record. Subsequent recombination of the top and bottom surfaces of each excavation unit into an encapsulated volumetric entity—a time-consuming process in itself—allows the visualization of the original archaeological record in all its volumetric detail, enabling its virtual reconfiguration and re-excavation, turning the well-known archaeological trope “excavation is destruction” into “excavation is digitization.”

Excavation, Material Science, Things

Small Finds

“Small finds” refer to a variety of generally “small” artifacts in diverse materials. Often studied according to narrow material classes, their functions have great potential for understanding different productive activities carried out in antiquity. Among these, textile production is represented well at Kaymakçı by numerous clay spindle whorls and loom weights, in addition to bronze needles. Perforated round sherds are also interpreted as weights of some sort, although some of them might have been used otherwise, as scrapers, for instance. Bone “gorgets” and bronze hooks represent fishing equipment likely used in the nearby lake. A wide variety of other bone, stone, and bronze tools (such as handles, awls, and chisels), together with personal ornaments, represent other common items in the collection of small finds from Kaymakçı.

Climate and Environment, Spaces

Research Center Design

The research center, which among other activities hosts the archaeological mission working at the nearby site of Kaymakçı during the summer months, is located near the village of Hacıveliler in Gölmarmara, Manisa. Overlooking Lake Marmara, the complex consists of different buildings including dormitories, a kitchen and dining room, and work rooms and laboratories for various projects.
Designed by Tim Frank, the architecture of the center acts as one with the local setting. This “performance” approach to design allowed Tim to embrace the various elements of the site, especially the north summer wind and the warm morning sunlight, to maintain temperature. The overhangs and passageways between buildings and the tall ceilings allow for air to circulate with the afternoon and evening summer winds. During the fall through early spring, the glass windows capture the sunlight for passive heating. Tim tested each of his designs using computational fluid dynamics. In addition, he worked extensively with all team members to design personal, communal, and working spaces to meet the needs of an interdisciplinary team.

Architecture, Digital, Geophysics, Spaces, Survey and Landscape

Remote Sensing

Since the inception of our research in the region, we have actively engaged in non-invasive approaches to understanding regional landscapes and individual sites. From historical aerial photographs (HAPs) from the mid-twentieth century and relatively low-resolution Landsat satellites to high-resolution multispectral QuickBird (now Maxar) and Planet satellites, we use images from above to help guide ground-truthing, ground-based work. Since 2013, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones, have enabled even higher-resolution imagery production and have enabled fine-scale topographic mapping — or microtopographic modeling – as well. Non-invasive subsurface prospection since 2007 has tested a variety of methods, including magnetometry, electromagnetic conductivity, magnetic susceptibility, ground-penetrating radar, electrical resistance tomography, and resistivity. Ongoing work focuses on the last of these methods, which continues to produce the best results for Kaymakçı’s specific conditions, revealing the locations of walls and other features with sub-meter precision.

Architecture, Digital, Geophysics, Spaces, Survey and Landscape

Regional Interactions

To know a region, to experience a place is an integral part of how archaeologists participate in presenting cultural and natural heritage. Since our work began with the Central Lydia Archaeological Survey (CLAS), we’ve invested a lot in how archaeologists may be part of this perspective. We focus on positive outcomes, seeing communities as integral participants in achieving wider goals to understand, to present, and to preserve the region’s resources.

To get out and see places is extremely important. Here you meet people, you enjoy the views, and you understand what it feels like to have the wind at your back or the heat of the mid-day sun on your face, and you know the urgency of rushing to take cover from sudden thunderstorms.

To engage with people of all ages and their perspectives on where they live, watercolor and ebru (“marbling”) workshops brought community members together to explore local cultural and natural heritage through art. Art allows creative approaches to individual perspectives, and such workshops are nice opportunities for community gatherings. The natural and cultural foci of these workshops included local archaeology, landscapes, and, especially, the birds of the Marmara Lake basin.

Related projects focused on exploring the full trajectory of food production, preparation, marketing, and consumption. A later continuation of similar work took form in the SOFRA Project.

This earlier work led to the first-ever “field to table” dinner in the heart of Bin Tepe.

In 2012 CLAS proposed a selection of bike routes through Bin Tepe with different levels of difficulty for bikers of differing experience. We tested the routes, prepared maps, and submitted the concept to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. This innovative concept may finally be coming to fruition: in 2025 it was proposed to be adopted and adapted as part of the “Heritage for the Future” project (Geleceği Miras Projesi); happily it also complements the ongoing nomination process to inscribe The Ancient City of Sardis and the Lydian Tumuli of Bin Tepe on the UNESCO World Heritage list, also supported by members of Gygaia Projects. We are very pleased by this recognition!

More recently, we’ve expanded our approach to getting out and around the Marmara Lake Basin to enjoy nature-culture spheres. In 2020 we proposed to the Gölmarmara Kaymakamlık a selection of hiking routes that connect the Asphodel Research center to the primary Bronze Age sites that surround the lake basin. It is the beginnings of a “Lydian Way” akin to the well-known “Lycian Way”!