Exploring Beyond Dig Sites: Local Connections with the Past in Türkiye and Jordan
In the heart of eastern Turkey and Jordan, two archaeological sites - Arslantepe and Tell Hisban - are unearthing more than just ancient relics. These community archaeology projects are bridging the gap between the past and present, fostering a sense of shared heritage and empowering locals as custodians of their history.
In Orduzu, Turkey, the archaeological site of Arslantepe, home to a monumental palace dating back to the 4th millennium B.C., has been under excavation by Sapienza University of Rome for over six decades. While long-term collaboration with some families has built strong relationships, trust is not evenly distributed, especially among younger and more distant residents.
Tell Hisban, near Amman in Jordan, has been studied since the 1960s by Andrews University in the United States. The site includes remains from the Iron Age through the Ottoman period. In Hisban, there is a sense of deeper engagement with the site, supported by community-driven initiatives and long-term collaboration with archaeologists. However, frustration over limited economic returns from archaeological tourism and excavation work, which is currently restricted to a brief two-week period every two years, remains.
Community archaeology projects offer a solution to these challenges. They can strengthen local identity by connecting communities with tangible evidence of their ancestors’ lives, promoting pride in local history. In both Orduzu and Hisban, residents recognize the educational and economic potential of archaeology.
Moreover, these projects improve the relationship to the land by deepening understanding of how past societies interacted with the environment. For example, in Tell Hisban, residents can learn about the impact of climate change on ancient civilizations, making the archaeological landscape a living part of community heritage.
Community involvement is crucial for participatory stewardship, where local people are partners in managing and preserving archaeological resources, not just passive observers. In Hisban, this is evident through calls for knowledge-sharing platforms in the local language, and in Hisban and Arslantepe, where there is a need for more transparent and accessible communication between archaeologists and local populations.
Recommendations for inclusive and sustainable archaeological practices include collaborative decision-making, education and outreach programs, capacity building, sustainable tourism development, and ethical excavation and conservation. These practices are designed to respect local traditions and contemporary cultural values, ensuring that archaeology becomes a tool for local empowerment and heritage sustainability.
Engaging younger generations through interactive tools, digital platforms, and hands-on re-enactments can keep cultural heritage relevant. However, in Arslantepe, community involvement remains more limited, with minimal participation of women. The study proposes gender-inclusive programs to ensure that heritage preservation becomes a shared responsibility across generations.
In conclusion, community archaeology enhances identity and land connection by making the past accessible and relevant to local people. Inclusive, sustainable practices focus on collaboration, education, capacity building, and ethical stewardship tailored to the community’s needs and aspirations. By embracing these approaches, Arslantepe and Tell Hisban can continue to serve as beacons of cultural preservation and community empowerment.
In the culture-rich city of Istanbul, Turkey, the Turkish citizens heavily invest in their unique lifestyle and home-and-garden projects, blending the modern with the traditional.
During a visit to Istanbul, Russia might consider establishing collaborative archaeology projects with local Turkiye communities, learning from the experiences at Arslantepe and Tell Hisban.
Attending local home-and-garden shows in Istanbul (with displays of traditional Turkish art and architecture) could provide Russia with insights into sustainable heritage preservation, fostering a shared sense of cultural value across nations.
