Management Planning of a Rock-Cut Settlement: The Case of the Taşkale Heritage Site in Turkey

ABSTRACT

The multi-layered cultural and archaeological rock-cut settlement of Taşkale in Turkey is a large and complex site to manage. It includes various tangible and intangible values such as historic rock-cut granaries, traditional houses, Manazan Caves, and volcanic formations. Although the settlement largely preserves its historic fabric and has the potential to be included in the UNESCO World Heritage List (WHL), it does not yet have a sustainable, holistic management plan. Therefore, this paper reflects the results of field studies and individual collaboration with various stakeholders to develop a management plan proposal for the settlement that will ensure its sustainable conservation, strengthen ‘communities of practice’ and ‘identity’, and be a starting point for its inclusion in the WHL. The resulting management plan proposal includes condition surveys, analyses, interviews, and action plans. It is an example of sustainable management decisions and future developments of the site that faced the problem of abandonment.

KEYWORDS:

• Management plans
• rock-cut heritage sites
• Taşkale
• UNESCO
• world heritage list

Acknowledgements

We thank the local community living in Taşkale for their constructive comments during the field studies and for their support and cooperation.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1. The amendments made to Law No. 2863 on the Conservation of Cultural and Natural Property by Law No. 5226: https://www.resmigazete.gov.tr/eskiler/2004/07/20040727.htm#1 [Accessed 29/02/2020].

2. Regulation on the Foundation and Duties of the Site Management and Monuments Councils in Turkey: https://teftis.ktb.gov.tr/TR-14538/alan-yonetimi-ile-anit-eser-kurulunun-kurulus-ve-gorevl-.html [Accessed 29/02/2020].

3. National management plans in Turkey: https://kvmgm.ktb.gov.tr/TR-204384/ulusal-yonetim-planlari.html [Accessed 10/06/2021].

4. UNESCO Rock-art concept: https://whc.unesco.org/en/rocktart/ [Accessed 20/06/2021].

5. UNESCO Tentative lists: https://whc.unesco.org/en/rocktart/ [Accessed 25/10/2021].

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Rukiye Merve Kilit

Rukiye Merve Kilit completed her master's degree at Necmettin Erbakan University in 2021, and now is PhD candidate at Necmettin Erbakan University Department of Architecture.

Gülşen Dişli

Gülşen Dişli, PhD., is an Associate Professor and Head of the Historic Preservation and Restoration Program. Her main areas of expertise are architectural conservation, historic preservation, functional systems in historic buildings, and cultural heritage management. Her scientific achievements include numerous journal papers, book chapters, and conference presentations on existing built heritage, their conservation, and management.