VIRTUAL ISTANBUL HERITAGE(S)

Abstract

I aim to explore the everyday interactions of people with archaeological heritage – monumental Lycian tombs scattered across present-day urban space of Kaş (Türkiye) – using the evidence from in-depth observations informed by a blend of new materialism-informed theories and post-qualitative approaches to method. By everyday interactions, I refer to the uses of heritage forming part of the daily routine – e.g., using a tomb to fix the tent or sitting against the tomb to rest. Thinking beyond the established historical, artistic, political, and even social narratives forming constructed identity and still life of the heritage object, I explore immanent alter egos of the object as dynamic matter existing and evolving within intricate human and non-human elements of ‘meshwork’ (Ingold 2011) of the mundane life. Acknowledging concern among researchers about current limitations of social values research in heritage studies (Jones 2017), I build on the proceedings of the heritage scholars adhering to new materialism thinking (e.g., Whitehead et al 2021) and adopt non-representational – ‘atmospheric things’ (McCormack 2015) and assemblage-informed – ‘concept as method’ (Jackson 2017) – methods to embrace what lies in between and beyond the existing value assessment approaches (Fredheim and Khalaf 2016). Looking at the everyday interactions with heritage as at process that shapes intricate assemblage, I question the pertinence of the dichotomies populating heritage studies and treat ‘everyday’ as a concept (Whitehead et al 2021) that shifts the focus from critical rhetoric having emerged from rejection of the authorized ways of attending to heritage (Waagenar et al 2023) that maintains its position as ‘minor’ (Manning 2016). This presentation will provide an opportunity to reflect on the upcoming (as of date) fieldwork.