Sagalassos
Know your past Prepare our future
Our Partners
Aygaz
Belgian Science Policy Office
Bricomarkt NV, Londerzeel
Family Lamberts-Van Assche
Friends of Sagalassos
Global Heritage Fund
Istituto per I Beni Archeologici e Monumentali
Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
Koptur & TurquieVision
Leuven University Fund
Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Turkey
Museum of Burdur
Pak Holding
Paloma Hotels
Peeters Publishers
Renier Natuursteen
Research Foundation-Flanders
Sagalassos Vakfı
Ancient Sagalassos
Sagalassos is one of the best preserved ancient towns of the Mediterranean. Located 110 km north of Antalya, in the province of Burdur, the site offers spectacular views of the Taurus mountains. Visitors share the sensation of discovery of classical monumental architecture and daily life of the past community. This authentic ancient city has been recommended by Turkey for inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
The Sagalassos Project
The Sagalassos Archaeological Research Project is coordinated at the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven. The project is internationally acknowledged for its comprehensive research strategies. The long-term history of the town and its associated territory, the urban and rural communities and the choices they made in life and death, within a changing ecological framework, provide many topics of truly interdisciplinary research. The results are embedded in encompassing conservation, restoration and presentation policies engaging the general public. Further social relevance is created by advancing regional and community development programmes.
Put simply, Sagalassos is one of those sites worth sharing and preserving for posterity. Its world-class heritage of centuries past should be managed for centuries to come. State-ofthe-art conservation of objects to edifices is combined with the restoration of carefully selected monuments, set within the natural beauty of the landscape and the authenticity of ruined parts of the town. The scholarly community, the general public and local society closely work together in order to preserve timeless and universal values of humanity.
Everybody on board for Sagalassos!
Students, junior and senior research staff from a multitude of nations, disciplines, convictions and ideologies join hands, in shared respect of the scientific potential of the site. The local team of workmen and the community of Ağlasun make all of this possible, welcoming you into their world, whilst acquiring and validating a range of new skills.
We need them all: archaeologists, architects, engineers, conservators, depot managers, find specialists, illustrators, photographers, health and safety officers, topographers, ICT-engineers, geomorphologists, geologists, archaeometrists, geographers, planners, tourism specialists, heritage managers, biologists, palynologists, anthropologists, numismatists, archaeozoologists, botanists, ecologists, historians, DNA-specialists, public outreach and museum scientists, geophysisists.
Some history
Alexander the Great took Sagalassos by storm in 333 BCE. His biographer goes on about ’not a small city’, but our research revealed the true origins to be more like a village. From around 200 BCE onwards, possibly with Seleucid support, Sagalassos developed into the prime urban settlement within its extensive territory.
The pax romana introduced by the emperor Augustus created unparalleled conditions for growth of the city. The emperor Hadrian offered privileges to Sagalassos which consolidated its urban splendour during the Antonine dynasty. An ambitious local elite promoted their town with pride and soul, recognizable to this day.
The Sagalassos Project is engaging in the interdisciplinary debate on approaching past patterns of social and ecological sustainability. Roman Imperial integration with far away markets was transformed into increased dependency on own specialized production and local exchange, providing sufficient buffering capacity to withstand the many political and ecological threats of late antiquity. Byzantine Sagalassos was a resilient community which continued to perform as an important regional centre.
Interdisciplinarity
Next to studying the splendid town, we wish to understand each detail of the people of ancient Sagalassos. How did they live, wine and dine, work and die? Sophisticated aDNA, isotopic, pollution and residue analytical programmes make this into a challenging innovative adventure in interdisciplinary science.
The study of food and diet in the past reveals amazing details of communal well-being and personal health. The family was the perennial cornerstone of society.
Their social habits and standing as well as cultural setting and pretensions can be read from culinary practices, ingredients and cooking utensils. You are what you eat, then as now.
Support our public outreach
Public outreach forms part of the DNA of the Sagalassos Project.
Support our efforts to design creative digital tools, graphic reconstructions and animations to relive the past. These will enhance the visiting experience on the site, but also enable global digital access and visibility for you and Sagalassos’ multi-vocal heritage. Especially help us tap into the imagination of children.
The development of public outreach tools typically amounts to between 10,000 and 20,000 US Dollar.
Support our conservation programme
The extant remains of the ancient city are exposed to severely deteriorating conditions. We have developed comprehensive conservation plans for the site and some of its main monuments. You can support the protection of these monuments and help us open these for visitors, anchoring your story in ours.
With 70,000 US Dollar you support the annual conservation programme, or contribute to the protection of one specific ancient monument.
Support our restoration programme
In the field of archaeological restoration, the approach, techniques and knowledge of the Sagalassos Project are globally appreciated by peers. In the excavations at Sagalassos almost all architectural elements of monumental buildings are preserved.
Advanced documentation techniques developed by the team allow virtual reconstructions, but with your help these monuments can be re-erected. Putting back to use, protects ancient monuments into the future.
The restoration of a medium-sized monument amounts to an annual total of 200,000 US Dollar.
Support our local development programme
Sagalassos is one of the assets of the local community of Ağlasun, which is home to important natural and cultural resources. Having said that, these assets are not linked in a sustainable way.
With this in mind, we broadened our scope and started preparing a local development plan for Sagalassos/Ağlasun, as the first archaeological project in Turkey to do so.
With an annual contribution of 25,000 US Dollar, you can join our projects for the preparation of original cultural and natural values for sustainable usage and tourism, in balance with the interest and knowledge of the local population.
The Leuven University Fund (kuleuven.be/mecenaat/en) is the central office within the university which brings donors and projects together in order to raise extra funds through philanthropy or sponsoring.
The Leuven University Fund can help you create a dedicated Sagalassos chair and student scholarships, or donate a fund and legacy.
In the United States, we collaborate with the Amici Lovaniensis Inc, a 501c3 nonprofit organization.
Loyal partners speak!
The Renier family:
“Because we love the Turkish people, its culture and heritage. Because we appreciate the job of KUL, its thoroughness and its international multidisciplinary character“.
The Lamberts-Van Assche family: “Because we cherish our classical heritage!”.
“Aygaz’ founder Vehbi Koç’s philosophy was “I live and prosper with my country”. Therefore Aygaz is committed to fulfilling its social and environmental responsibilities, and investing in Turkey’s future. Since 2005, Aygaz is supporting the restoration of Sagalassos, as a reflection of its responsible approach to protect the past and transfer it to the next generations.
Funding sources and activities within an annual budget of 350,000 to 400,000 US Dollar, operational costs only and staff expenses excluded.
Archaeology Interdiciplinarity Public Outreach Conservation Restoration Local Development 32% 11% 22% 26% 5% 4% Science Funds Friends of Sagalassos Sagalassos Foundation Turkish Partners Belgian Partners Global Heritage Fund 35% 27% 16% 8% 8% 6%
In Europe, please join the Friends of Sagalassos. www.sagalassos.be
In Turkey, please support the Sagalassos Vakfı.
In the United States, please donate to Global Heritage Fund. www.globalheritagefund.org
Contact
Sagalassos Archaeological Research Project
University of Leuven
Blijde Inkomststraat 21/3314
BE-3000 Leuven
Tel. +32 16 32 48 62
Fax +32 16 32 50 94
info@sagalassos.be
www.sagalassos.be
www.facebook.com/sagalassosproject
