Surveys
A list of archaeological surveys organised, supported or facilitated by the BIAA
Boncuklu Excavations
Start: 2006 - End: 2018
The project aims to understand the appearance and trajectory of sedentary, cultivating, and herding communities in central Anatolia, investing also in Cultural heritage management.
Çatalhöyük Excavations, 1993-2017
Start: 1993 - End: 2018
Under the direction of Ian Hodder with multiple international teams working side by side the project aims to discover as much as possible about the Çatalhöyük site as a whole.
Çaltılar Survey
Start: 2008 - End: 2012
The Çaltılar survey project was concerned with northern Lycia during the Bronze and Early Iron Ages, specifically its settlement history and material culture.
Pednelissos Regional Survey – Pisidia Survey Project
Start: 2007 - End: 2012
In 2007 the Pisidia Survey Project started a new phase; rather than focusing on ancient city remains, a territorial region was selected for survey and exploration: the territory of ancient Pednelissos. The study has provided insight into the landscape’s development across time.
Cide Archaeological Project (CAP)
Start: 2009 - End: 2011
Between 2009 and 2011 Bleda Düring, Claudia Gatz, and T. Emre Şerifoğlu co-directed the Cide Archaeological Project. Fieldwalking and other methodologies yielded information about the region’s history.
Avkat Survey
Start: 2007 - End: 2011
A diachronic survey of the Avkat region (known anciently as Euchaïta) was undertaken between 2007 and 2011. James Newhard directed work in an effort to explore long-term landscape changes and see how socio-economic structures had developed in rural Anatolia.
Ziyaret Tepe Excavations
Start: 2000 - End: 2011
Ziyaret Tepe is a multi-period site featuring late Neolithic, early Chalcolithic, middle Assyrian, and neo-Assyrian remains, with an extensive lower town area. Tim Matney and John MacGinnis directed excavations here between 2000 and 2006, beginning again in 2011.
Kilise Tepe Excavations
Start: 1994 - End: 2011
Between 1994 and 2011 Nicholas Postgate directed excavations at the multi-period site of Kilise Tepe. Researchers mapped, collected finds, and tried to understand more about each period represented.
Kerkenes Dağ Survey and Excavations
Start: 1993 - End: 2011
Beginning in 1993 the BIAA has collaborated in work at the significant Iron Age site of Kerkenes Dağ.
Field Survey in Thrace
Start: 2007 - End: 2009
Between 2007 and 2009 a field survey was conducted in Thrace in connection to the work done on Constantinople’s water supply system. The project was undertaken jointly, in collaboration with Istanbul Technical University. New technology (such as satellite and digital map data) was used in order to create a more accurate digital terrain model that assisted in researching the water supply systems in the region.
Survey of Kibyratis
Start: 2001 - End: 2007
The Kibyratis Project was undertaken between 2001 and 2007 under the direction of Thomas Corsten and with support from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft. The inscriptions, literature, coins, and architecture of Kibyra were studied for information about the site and surrounding settlements.
Göksu Archaeological Project
Start: 2002 - End: 2006
The project aimed at examining the area between Mut and Karaman that was threatened with flooding by the construction of the Mut dam.
Cnidus Excavations
Start: 1995 - End: 2006
The Classical site of Cnidus had been the subject of multiple British archaeological projects in the 19th and 20th centuries. Between 1999 and 2006 Ian Jenkins directed a project there with the intent of better understanding the context of the many finds recovered there (now housed in the British Museum).
Oylum Höyük Survey and Excavations
Start: 2002 - End: 2005
The Oylum Höyük project of the multi-period site that showed evidence of occupation between Neolithic and Hellenistic periods began in collaboration with Haceteppe and Ankara Universities, along with the Deutsches Archäologisches Institut. Alan Greaves directed the project between 2002 and 2005, and the work revealed new information about the region’s diachronic settlement history.
Anastasian Wall Project
Start: 1994 - End: 2005
The Anastasian Wall Project was initiated in 1994 and directed by James Crow and Alessandra Ricci. Constructed as part of a defence system for Istanbul during the late fifth century AD, the walls originally stretched 50km between the Marmara and Black Seas and featured forts, ditches, and gates. The remains of the wall and associated features were investigated and recorded.
Survey of Constantinople’s Water Supply System
Start: 1995 - End: 2003
During work on the Anastasian Wall a separate project was initiated that focused on Constantinople’s water supply. Between 1995 and 2003, researchers studied the longest and latest complex of antique aqueducts, constructed towards the end of the fourth century AD.
Paphlagonia Regional Survey
Start: 1997 - End: 2001
This project aimed to collect more information about the archaeology, geography, and history of Paphlagonia, comprising the modern provinces of Çankırı and Karabük. Roger Matthews directed work there between 1997 and 2001.
Çiftlik Rescue Evacuations
Start: 1993 - End: 2001
Stephen Hill directed a rescue excavation project at the Classical and Byzantine site of Sinop between 1993 and 2001. Researchers investigated and excavated the standing structures there, and carefully removed a mosaic floor to the Sinop Museum for preservation.
Melli Survey – Pisidia Survey Project
Start: 1998 - End: 2000
The survey at Melli was undertaken between 1998 and 2000 as part of the Pisidia Survey Project. Under the direction of Stephen Mitchell, a topographical map was created and structures around the site were studied in detail.
Survey of Medieval Anatolian Castles
Start: 1992 - End: 1998
In 1992, a collaborative project between Oxford University and the BIAA was launched to investigate medieval castles in Anatolia. Mark Whittow and Hugh Barnes directed survey work on five castles, and their research has been published in a series pof articles.
Alacami Survey and Excavations
Start: 1997 - End: 1997
In 1997 Richard Bayliss directed excavation and survey work at the Alacami church in Kadirli.
Oenoanda Survey
Start: 1974 - End: 1997
A survey of Oenoanda (Muğla Province) was directed by Alan Hall and Martin Smith beginning in 1974. The northern Lycian city is noteworthy for housing the philosophical inscription of Diogenes of Oenoanda, and the survey was particularly successful in recording many of the inscriptions and fragments around the site.
Panemoteichos and Ören Tepe Survey – Pisidia Survey Project
Start: 1995 - End: 1996
A survey of Panemoteichos and Ören Tepe was undertaken in 1995 under the direction of Stephen Mitchell, as part of the larger Pisidia Survey Project.
Kaynar Kale Survey - Pisidia Survey Project
Start: 1995 - End: 1996
In 1995 and 1996 the Pisidia Survey Project undertook a survey at Kaynar Kale. Tentatively identified as ancient Kodrula, Kaynar Kale featured a bath building, aqueduct, temple, and a group of Hellenistic ostothecae.
Sia Survey – Pisidia Survey Project
Start: 1995 - End: 1996
In 1995 and 1996 the Pisidia Survey Project undertook a survey at Sia. The site’s houses, public buildings, tombs, and fortifications were studied and mapped.
Geoarchaeological Survey of the Konya Basin
Start: 1995 - End: 1996
Between 1995 and 1996 Neil Roberts directed a geoarchaeological Survey of the Konya Basin. The project aim was to establish a 3D lithostratigraphic sequence for the Çarşamba alluvial fan through geoarchaeological and geomorphological survey.
Survey of the Palaeolithic sites of the Sakçagözü Region
Start: 1994 - End: 1996
The Sakçagözü region was selected for a project on Palaeolithic and Aceramic Neolithic settlement in 1994. Under the direction of Andrew Garrard, researchers collected information that shed light on Sakçagözü’s early prehistoric periods through later antiquity.
Survey of Roman Roads and Milestones
Start: 1973 - End: 1995
Beginning in 1973, the Roman Roads project was continued for over two decades by David French. His fieldwork and research on the road systems of Roman Asia Minor provided information that allowed for a fresh reconstruction of the topography.
Çatalhöyük Regional Survey
Start: 1993 - End: 1994
Trevor Watkins and Douglas Baird conducted a survey of Çatalhöyük’s surrounding regions in 1993 and 1994. A number of new and significant sites were discovered thanks to their work surveying, investigating, and recording mounds and other features.
Trabzon Vilayet Survey
Start: 1992 - End: 1994
The Trabzon Vilayet survey was directed by James Crow between 1992 and 1994. The researchers were successful in topographically surveying and mapping a number of sites in the region.
Amasra Survey
Start: 1988 - End: 1993
Between 1988 and 1993, Stephen Hill directed survey work at Amasra in Bartın Province. He and his team were successful in surveying Late Roman and Byzantine architectural remains, including the castle, Byzantine churches, defence walls, bathhouses, and harbours.
Balboura Survey
Start: 1985 - End: 1993
J. J. Coulton directed survey work at Balboura, a northern Lycian site in Burdur Province, between 1985 and 1993. The work conducted there revealed inscriptions, pottery, public structures, and a necropolis, in addition to providing information about the region’s ancient settlement patterns, climate history, and pre-industrialised agricultural practices.
Aspendos Basilica Survey
Start: 1992 - End: 1992
In 1992, Michael Ballance conducted survey work on the basilica in Aspendos. His detailed work measuring and studying architectural features allowed more detail to be added to the plans created in 1956.
Yaraşlı Survey
Start: 1991 - End: 1991
A survey of Yaraşlı, a site in Konya Province featuring Çevre Kale, was undertaken in 1991 by Geoffrey Summers and a small team. A helium-filled blimp was used to obtain aerial photographs of the site, a site plan was made, and pottery was collected.
Adıyaman Survey
Start: 1985 - End: 1991
Between 1985 and 1991, David French directed survey work at various sites around Adıyaman Province, with the intent of understanding important ceramic sequences before the region was flooded with the completion of the Keban dam.
Satala Survey
Start: 1989 - End: 1990
Between 1989 and 1990 Chris Lightfoot led survey work at Satala, a Roman fortress site in Gümüşhane Province. An accurate site plan was produced, and structures, inscriptions, and small finds were discovered in and around the site.
Ariassos Survey – Pisidia Survey Project
Start: 1988 - End: 1990
In 1988 the Pisidia Survey Project initiated a new site at Ariassos under the direction of Stephen Mitchell. A plan of the site was created, inscriptions were recorded, and structures were studied – all of which allowed for a picture of Ariassos’ history to emerge with greater clarity.
Sagalassos Survey – Pisidia Survey Project
Start: 1985 - End: 1989
Between 1985 and 1989, Stephen Mitchell and Marc Waelkens directed work at Sagalassos as part of the larger Pisidia Survey Project. Site plans were made, and city features – such as the aqueduct and water system, baths, temples, and a potters’ quarter – were studied extensively. Marc Waelkens initiated a major excavation in 1990 which has continues to the present.
Survey of Assyrian Monuments
Start: 1984 - End: 1988
Between 1984 and 1988 H. F. Russell directed a survey of Assyrian monuments around Diyarbakır Province, taking photographs and making squeezes and drawings of reliefs and inscriptions.
Cremna Survey – Pisidia Survey Project
Start: 1985 - End: 1987
In 1985 a new Pisidia Survey Project site was initiated at Cremna, under the direction of Stephen Mitchell. In three seasons of work, the team was successful in creating accurate city plans and surveying many architectural structures, in addition to discovering architectural remnants comprising one of the best documented sieges of the Roman Imperial era.
Survey of the Aqueduct at Amasya
Start: 1985 - End: 1985
In 1985 Oliver and Caroline Nicholson travelled to various sites connected to the Forty Martyrs of Sebasteia. One of their trips was to Amasya, where they conducted an investigation of the aqueduct.
Survey of Medieval Anatolian Castles
Start: 1982 - End: 1984
Clive Foss directed a survey of medieval castles around Kütahya and Kocaeli Provinces between 1982 and 1984. Its purpose was to facilitate architectural and historical discussions of Byzantine and Turkish Medieval fortifications located in Anatolia, and they were successful in surveying and producing detailed plans for at least nine castles.
Pisidian Antioch Survey – Pisidia Survey Project
Start: 1982 - End: 1984
The survey at Pisidian Antioch was directed by Stephen Mitchell between 1982 and 1983, and was the first survey of what would eventually become the Pisidia Survey Project. The work at Pisidian Antioch was successful in producing new and correct plans of the site and nearby sanctuary, and of documenting as many architectural remains as possible.
Aşvan Project
Start: 1968 - End: 1973
David French directed the Aşvan Project (Elâzığ Province) between 1968 and 1973. This unique project undertook both excavation and an extensive research programme that aimed at rescuing historical materials before the area was submerged with the completion of the Keban Dam.
Survey of the Eastern Roman Limes
Start: 1964 - End: 1966
Between 1964 and 1966, Timothy Mitford carried out an investigation of epigraphic and other material in Eastern Turkey, Armenia, and Georgia, particularly focusing on the Roman limes in those regions.
Survey of Prehistoric Sites in Northwestern Anatolia
Start: 1960 - End: 1966
Between 1961 and 1966, David French conducted fieldwork in prehistoric sites in northwestern Anatolia. He was particularly interested in taking detailed notes on mounds and tumuli encountered and reconstructing a pottery sequence for the area.
Survey of Ancient Greek Harbours
Start: 1963 - End: 1964
In 1963 and 1964 David Blackman undertook travel around the Eastern Mediterranean Sea to explore ancient Greek Harbour sites. He checked various sites against existing descriptions, studied other unrecorded structures, and swimming or diving as necessary to examine any submerged remains.
Survey of Rough Cilicia
Start: 1961 - End: 1964
G. E. Bean and T. B. Mitford undertook survey work in the area of Rough Cilicia (around Antalya and Mersin Provinces) in 1961 and 1964, recording inscriptions and proposing ancient identities for sites they studied.
Survey of Early Christian Architecture in Southwestern Turkey
Start: 1963 - End: 1963
R. M. Harrison conducted fieldwork on the early Christian architecture of Central Lycia (modernly Antalya and Muğla Provinces) in 1963, particularly studying architectural carving and mouldings.
Elbistan Survey
Start: 1962 - End: 1962
In 1962 Gavin Brown undertook a study of early pottery in the region within Kayseri, Maraş and Malatya. He also conducted a field survey of the Elbistan plain and Bünyan-Pınarbaşı.
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