Expanded Archaeological Site Catalogue
This site provides a comprehensive catalogue of settlement sites, spanning from 2000 to 1000 BC, in the western part of the Republic of Türkiye. This database, which originally included 334 sites compiled by archaeologist Serdal Mutlu, has now been expanded by archaeologist Dr. Alper Aşınmaz, a geospatial and data science expert, to 483 known Middle and Late Bronze Age sites. It’s freely accessible here and is designed for both scholars and the general public, using advanced data standards.
Key Features of the New Database
Detailed Site Information: Each entry in the catalogue provides specific details, including site names, toponyms, descriptions, and references to key literature. This allows users to delve into the historical context of each location.
Enhanced Data Accessibility and Interlinkability through Linked Open Data Standards: By means of structured and machine-readable formatting, the data in the Luwian Studies catalogue is now accessible to a global audience. In this regard, Wikidata’s collaborative framework means that researchers, educators, and the public can not only view but also contribute to and refine the data, ensuring it remains accurate and up-to-date.
Dynamic and Interactive Structure: Transitioning from a static list to a dynamic relational database, the catalogue now offers powerful search options, real-time updates, and data integration with other platforms.
Additional Resources and Linkages: The use of Semantic Web technologies connects this database with external resources such as Pleiades (an archaeological site directory), Wikidata, and Dbpedia. This cross-referencing broadens the research potential by linking related datasets and enabling a more comprehensive understanding of the sites.
Data Export and Analysis: The database is compatible with a variety of formats for download, including CSV and JSON, making it easy to conduct custom analyses or integrate the data into other research projects. Additionally, users can perform geospatial analysis, draw polygons around specific areas, or query the data using SPARQL, a powerful query language tailored for linked data.
Sustainability and Open Source Integration: The new database is hosted as an open-source platform within the foundation’s WordPress site. This ensures long-term data preservation and enables continued updates and expansions without needing extensive restructuring.
Interactive Mapping: Users can explore these ancient sites through an interactive map, where each location is pinpointed for easy navigation. This feature enhances geographic context and allows users to visually interpret the spatial distribution of settlements in Western Anatolia.
This catalogue represents a significant step forward in making the history of Western Anatolia’s Bronze Age settlements more accessible and interconnected with broader archaeological datasets. Through this resource, Luwian Studies Foundation hopes to stimulate further research and public interest in this historically significant region.