2,600 Years of History to be brought to Light

The archaeological surveys and excavations at the Ancient City of Phoenix, located in the Marmaris district of Muğla and regarded as one of the world's most valuable cultural heritages with a 2,600-year history, which has been the subject of surface surveys and excavation work for five years to document its archaeological remains, will now continue under the leadership of Izmir University of Economics (IUE). Led by Asst. Prof. Dr. Asil Yaman, a faculty member at IUE, the ‘Phoenix Archaeology Project’ aims to unearth the lifestyles of past civilizations and transform the Bozburun Peninsula into a world-renowned ‘rural tourism center’. Conducted by an experienced team of 30 under the permission of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the research will intensify in the villages of Taşlıca and Söğüt to the north of Phoenix in 2026. By documenting and preserving cultural assets, the project will significantly contribute to the region's candidacy for the UNESCO World Heritage list.

INTEGRATION WITH THE PUBLIC

Giving detailed information about the project, Asst. Prof. Dr. Asil Yaman, from IUE Vocational School’s Architectural Restoration Program, emphasized that they are performing a multi-faceted reading of cultural geography rather than just a standard excavation. He stated that they aim to bring the 2,600-year-old past into the future by analyzing the relationships between humans, nature, architecture, and production practices, Asst. Prof. Dr. Asil Yaman said, “Since 2021, systematic surface surveys, architectural documentation, archaeological analyses, and cultural heritage education projects have been carried out under the official permission of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The project utilizes a holistic approach that merges disciplines such as archaeology, architecture, geology, ecology, history, and anthropology. We also receive a lot of support from the local community. They are following the process with great interest. Our work as a new generation archaeology project, carried out in close cooperation with the community, is attracting attention.”

A MODEL FOR RURAL LIFE

Asst. Prof. Dr. continued as follows: “The Phoenix Archaeology Project's original approach is to evaluate the site within the theoretical framework of entanglement. In this way, spatial order, production practices, and daily life are interpreted not only through physical remains but also within a network of historical, social, and environmental relationships. Phoenix serves as a concrete example of a self-sufficient and sustainable rural life model throughout history. The team includes researchers from Turkey, Europe, and the United States, making it one of Turkey’s most comprehensive rural archaeology and cultural landscape studies under the umbrella of Izmir University of Economics.”

STRATEGIC STEPS TOWARD WORLD HERITAGE

Stating that with its unique cultural landscape and historical continuity, the Ancient City of Phoenix is a potential candidate for World Heritage status, Asst. Prof. Dr. Yaman said, “We are currently building the scientific, spatial and managerial infrastructure for this goal. The next phase involves launching full-scale archaeological excavations. The studies structured within the framework of a long-term scientific research strategy and field management plan aim to make Phoenix more visible on international academic and cultural platforms.”

UPCOMING EXHIBITION AND ART INTEGRATION

Stating that they also plan to organize an exhibition describing the project's activities in the coming period, Asst. Prof. Dr. Yaman said, “The Phoenix Archaeology Project combines scientific research with contemporary art production. As part of the contemporary art program run by the Phoenix Archaeological Research Center (PAAM) in Taşlıca, artists engage with the field through themes such as rural heritage, water management systems, production practices, and local memory. We also have an exhibition program in preparation. Details regarding this will be clarified in the coming period. Phoenix's cultural landscape is evolving beyond being merely an academic research topic into a public and aesthetic arena for discussion. Thus, the project is transforming into a dynamic cultural platform that not only preserves the past but also reinterprets it through contemporary production.”