Abstract
Archaeobotanical perspectives inform site conservation and presentation at Gordion, Turkey. The historical landscape there includes about 240 royal burial mounds and the archaeological site of Gordion. The tumuli and the historical landscape in which they sit are threatened by agricultural development and suburbanization. The excavated part of the site is exposed to the elements. Protection of the largest tumulus against uncontrolled grazing has reduced erosion and led to biodiversity preservation. Plant management practices coordinated with the architectural conservation team are under development. On stone structures, soft caps are planted with Poa bulbosa and a selective weeding programme aims at keeping deep-rooted plants from destroying the stonework. Education and outreach for local people and tourists include a native plant garden and self-guided walking tours.
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Acknowledgements
Although this paper focuses on my own activities, the work I describe would not have been possible without the financial support of the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology and the Gordion project directors, G. Kenneth Sams and C. Brian Rose, excavation director Mary Voigt, assistant director Ayşe Gürsan-Salzmann and many members of the Gordion team. Halil Demirdelen (Deputy Director, Museum of Anatolian Civilizations) has helped spread ideas about the integration of environmental and archaeological preservation; Mecit Vural shares his deep knowledge of the plants of Anatolia and works with me on the demonstration garden. Conversations with Remzi Yılmaz, Zekeriya Utgu and others in Yassıhöyük about agriculture, the weather and pastures have informed many of my decisions. Finally, Mac Marston, Chantel White and Alan Farahani encouraged me to write this up.
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Miller, N.F. Historic landscape and site preservation at Gordion, Turkey: an archaeobotanist’s perspective. Veget Hist Archaeobot 28, 357–364 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00334-018-0689-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00334-018-0689-4