Heritage Türkiye

In this episode, Dr. Peter Cherry interviews Dr. Işılay Gürsu about her research on public archaeology and cultural heritage. The relationship between archaeology, heritage, and society—the central theme of her recently published book, Public Dialogues in Archaeology: New Methodologies from Turkey—is at the heart of their discussion. Dr. Gürsu reflects on her work in Pisidia, including the Pisidia Heritage Trail, as well as projects such as Living Amid the Ruins and SARAT (Safeguarding Archaeological Assets of Turkey). They also discuss the value of interdisciplinary research and the experience of communicating research beyond academia through the Heritage Türkiye podcast. Throughout the episode, they explore how their research interests intersect and how Dr. Gürsu's approach to archaeology and heritage draws on a wide range of fields across the social sciences and humanities, from social anthropology and sociology to psychology and literature.

The second season of the BIAA Heritage Türkiye Podcast has been a huge success! 12 episodes with 12 distinguished guests, over 400 minutes of fascinating discussions on culture, heritage, archaeology and research in and beyond Türkiye. A big thank you to everyone who listened, watched, and supported the podcast throughout the season. In this final episode, Dr. Işılay Gürsu and Dr. Peter Cherry look back on the highlights of Season Two, reflect on key themes and memorable conversations, and share a glimpse of what's to come in Season Three.

In this episode of Heritage Türkiye, we speak with Dr Hakan Tarhan about identity, memory, and the complexities of cultural heritage in the eastern Mediterranean. Drawing on his research in both Türkiye and Greece, Hakan explores how communities engage with Byzantine and Ottoman heritage, what he means by "the other's heritage," and why the concept of dissonant heritage is central to understanding contested pasts. We discuss what it means to "live with Byzantium" in contemporary Türkiye, and the importance of community engagement in heritage practice. The conversation also reflects on Hakan's current research and his vision for the future of cultural heritage at the BIAA, highlighting the role of dialogue in building more inclusive approaches to the past.

In this episode of Heritage Türkiye, we speak with Dr Elif Neyzi about the rich and complex world of late Byzantine Constantinople. Drawing on her research into imperial monasteries, urban history, and the social transformations of the late Byzantine period, Elif discusses the role of monastic institutions in city life, the relationship between imperial and non-imperial communities, and new directions in Byzantine scholarship. We also explore the reception of Byzantium in popular culture, representations of Byzantine women, the current state of Byzantine studies in Türkiye, and opportunities for early career researchers.

In this episode of Heritage Türkiye, we speak with Professor Hugh Elton, former Director of the British Institute at Ankara and a leading specialist in the archaeology and history of Roman Anatolia. From his pioneering research in the Göksu Valley and Isauria to his work on late Roman emperors, climate change, and archaeological heritage management, Hugh reflects on a career that has connected landscapes, people, and institutions across the ancient Mediterranean. Together, we explore how studying seemingly peripheral regions can transform our understanding of empire, why interdisciplinary approaches are reshaping archaeological research, and what long-term perspectives from the ancient world can contribute to contemporary debates about environment, governance, and resilience. We also discuss Hugh's years at the British Institute at Ankara and his thoughts on the future of Anatolian archaeology.