Archeological Research Center in Gözlükule, Tarsus, Turkey

Abstract

The goal of my Thesis Project is to design an Archeological Research Center located in the Historic City of Tarsus which is located in southern Turkey. This design exercise will try to combine and layer the archeological research activity above the actual existing excavation site of Gözlükule (An archeological mound located in Tarsus). The logic being that the research spaces above will become a "protective shell" for what is being unearthed and displayed below.

I have chosen The City of Tarsus as the site for the Archeological Research Center for the following reasons:

- Modern City of Tarsus literally sits on top of the ancient Roman and Biblical City of St.Paul which needs to be excavated and preserved as a world historic site.

- Thesis site is the Gözlükule Mound that is situated above the city of Tarsus. The Mound is an archeological site with ongoing excavation.

- Recently Tarsus has gained international importance as a pilgrimage location for Christian tourists.

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- Tarsus American College "TAC" is located adjacent to the site and is an important educational center in Turkey that will support and benefit from archeological research conducted adjacent to its campus.

- My thesis project will be to develop a model and guidelines for protecting, preserving and displaying the archeological remains excavated at the site.

- By keeping and preserving archeological findings at the site of their excavation, I will be making a counter argument for displacing and displaying them at other locations.

- My goal for designing a center for archeological research in Tarsus will be to utilize its building form to focus and organize the existing urban pattern adjacent to the site by creating visual and physical connections between fields.