Empowering communities: the role of community archaeology in heritage conservation at Arslantepe, Turkey

Community archaeology has become increasingly successful in research projects. Scholars have realised the importance of establishing contact with the resident population at archaeological excavation sites where they operate. Sometimes, however, this relationship has been limited to a one-way transmission of heritage value to communities. The present study, concerning the doctoral research project in Heritage Science, carried out at the village of Orduzu, encompassing the UNESCO site of Arslantepe (eastern Anatolia - Turkey), demonstrates the high relevance of the correct application of community archaeology in the conservation and safeguarding of heritage.