In Situ Preservation of Ancient Floor Mosaics in Turkey

Abstract

As stated in the Burra Charter (1979) ‘A building or work should remain in its historical location. The moving of all or part of a building or work is unacceptable unless it is the sole means of ensuring its survival’. This statement has been neglected many times during rescue excavations in Turkey (e.g. Zeugma), whereas the destruction of ancient floor mosaics caused by lifting, especially when carried out by incompetent or inexperienced personnel at systematic archaeological excavations, has steered the authorities desire to preserve them in situ. However, due to the lack of conservation professionals and insufficient resources for conservation, it becomes a difficult issue to provide an effective preservation scheme for archaeological excavations. This paper aims to discuss this important issue in terms of the national legislation, preventative and interventive conservation approaches at various sites, exhibition and maintenance of mosaics, as well as the training of conservation technicians in Turkey.

Keywords:

• mosaic floors
• archaeological sites
• in situ preservation
• preventive conservation
• legislation
• site management

Notes

1 Turkish Legislation No. 2863 for the Protection of the Cultural and National Heritage. Available at: <http://teftis.kulturturizm.gov.tr/belge/1-41685/kultur-ve-tabiat-varliklarini-koruma-kanunu.html>.

2 Legislation of the Preservation District Boards. Available at: <http://teftis.kulturturizm.gov.tr/belge/1-41644/kultur-ve-tabiat-varliklarini-koruma-yuksek-kurulu-ile-.html>.

3 Turkish Legislation No. 2863 for the Protection of the Cultural and National Heritage. Available at: <http://teftis.kulturturizm.gov.tr/belge/1-41685/kultur-ve-tabiat-varliklarini-koruma-kanunu.html>.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Hande Kökten

Hande Kökten has been a professor at the Conservation Program of Baskent Vocational School, Ankara University, since 1991 and is currently the director of this institution. She specialized in conservation training, preventive conservation and preservation of archaeological materials, floor mosaics in particular. She is a member of IIC, ICCM, and ICOM.

Correspondence to: Hande Kökten, Ankara Universitesi, Gumusdere Yerleskesi, Baskent Meslek Yüksekokulu, Fatih Cad. 33A, Kecioren — Ankara, Turkey. Email: [email protected]