TÜBA-AR is being Re-Published
We spoke to Istanbul University Literature Faculty Department of Protohistory and Near Asia Archeology Teaching Staff Member and Istanbul University Fine Arts Department President Associate Prof. Dr. Şevket Dönmez about the TÜBA-AR (Turkish Academy of Sciences Journal of Archeology), of which he is the Chairman of the Editorial Board, being restructured and about archeology and archeology publications in Turkey.
Associate Prof. Dr. Şevket Dönmez started out by explaining that TÜBA-AR, the Turkish Academy of Sciences Journal of Archeology, was brought to the agenda shortly after the establishment of TÜBA in 1993 because archeologists were very active during the founding of TÜBA, an organization comprised of most senior scientists; and pointed out that the first edition of TÜBA-AR had been published under the leadership of the late Prof. Dr. Ufuk Esin in 1998 and added:
‘Turkish archeology must have a special place in world archeology and therefore a special place in archeology education and publications.’
Turkish archeology must have a special place in world archeology and therefore a special place in archeology education and publications. Anatolia, which is one of five important cultural regions in Near Asia, or in other words the old world’s Egypt, Syria, Mesopotamia and Iran, is a very rich laboratory for archeological sciences today. Our archeological activities, education and publications are three of our internal dynamics that are admired by developed countries. There are around 40 operating archeological faculties throughout universities in Turkey. I am not at the point of thinking whether this is a large figure or not. I believe that these archeology departments must be organized according to our present conditions. What I mean to say here is that in addition to traditional and important disciplines like Near Asia Archeology, Prehistory and Classic Archeology, new disciplines like Medieval, Turkish-Islam, Ottoman and Seljuk archeology should be established as well. Today we know Neolithic Period homes quite well but we have no idea about ‘how a Seljuk home is?’ We know how Urartu palaces are but we are not that familiar with Seljuk palaces. I feel as though every period of Turkey should be studied with the same care and attention without any limitations. I believe it is critical to educate specialists in these subjects.
‘TÜBA-AR is the most important among archeology publications’
The archeological publications in Turkey are developing on an academic and popular basis. I do not think these are sufficient for such an archeological country as Turkey. That being said, there is a very positive rise on this subject that has been taking place over the past 20 years. When I was first starting out in my profession in the beginning of the 1990s there were only important periodicals like ‘Anatolian Research’ and ‘Anatolia’, which were published with much difficulty by university archeology departments, and the ‘Türk Arkeoloji Dergisi’ (Turkish Journal of Archeology), a very well rooted magazine by the Ministry of Culture. Also the Turkish Historical Society’s publication ‘Belleten’ dedicated a certain portion to archeology. The basic problem of those outside of ‘Belleten’ was that they were not issued on a regular basis. Sometimes, after being published three years in a row they would not be published for another 3-4 years. As a popular magazine only the ‘Archeology and Art Magazine’ was in existence and it was barely operational. Some economically powerful periodicals have taken a place in Turkish archeology from the past to the present. TÜBA-AR has become one of the most important among these. Adalya and Olba are at the forefront in successful works during this period. They are internationally recognized and of quite good quality. I have observed that the popular and contemporary periodicals that are necessary for archeological developments to be followed by the public have not developed as much as academic periodicals. Archeology and Art, which continues after having been restructured, and Contemporary Archeology, which began publication in 2007, continue to be successful. In addition to these the old NTV magazine, presently called ‘#History’, draws attention with some serious pages dedicated to archeology. The success of these publications indicates that the public is developing increasingly more interest in archeology. Despite all this I still feel that Turkey, a country with a population approaching 80 million, should have more popular and contemporary periodicals that focus on archeology.
The continuation of ‘TÜBA-AR’ is a significant success for the archeological society’
Before all else I want to point out that the existence and significance of TÜBA-AR comes from the Turkish Academy of Sciences. Many years went by before an academy that included social sciences was established in Turkey. I believe that TÜBA has made important contributions towards the positive developments in Turkish archeology in recent years. The fact that there were archeologists among the founding members of TÜBA ensured the recognition of archeology as a reputable science. The publication of TÜBA-AR a short time after the academy was established was an important achievement for the archeological society. The international regard and recognition that TÜBA-AR achieved as a social sciences periodical after only the sixth edition portrayed a success that Turkish Archeology had been longing for. In this context we can easily say that with the publication of TÜBA-AR, an archeology magazine at international standards which is published on a regular basis has been created.
‘TÜBA-AR in international indexes’
With the publication of TÜBA-AR our Turkish colleagues as well as foreign colleagues have shown great interest in publishing their articles. Articles published in TÜBA-AR have begun to gain prestige with the acceptance of the magazine in international indexes.
A new TÜBA-AR …
After a three year interval TÜBA-AR is being published again. The 15th edition, the first one in the new term, is about to be released. The prudent approach of TÜBA Chairman Prof. Dr. Ahmet Cevat Acar and Prof. Dr. Kenan Çağan were critical in starting this new process. I feel that this opportunity given to us to make this journal of our country that has become an internationally recognized brand, even more successful is an important one. TÜBA-AR will now be more prominent and distinctive from other archeological magazines in our country with the periods, topics and geographical area it covers. The new editorial and advisory board comprised of valuable experts in science, has been organized according to our new publication policy.
‘TÜBA-AR will also be available online’
Before 2011 TÜBA-AR was a difficult publication to gain access to for those looking for such a periodical, but this will no longer be a problem with the restructuring.
As of 2015 TÜBA will be available online over its website. TÜBA-AR will be easily available to readers and will also be distributed to necessary locations.
Who is Assoc. Prof. Dr. Şevket Dönmez?
TÜBA-AR Editorial Board Chairman Assoc. Prof. Dr. Şevket Dönmez graduated from the Istanbul University Literature Faculty Protohistory and Near Asia Archeology Department in 1991. Shortly after graduating he began to work as a research assistant in the Department in the same year. In 1994 he completed his masters and in 2000 he completed his doctorate education. He became an Associate Professor in December of 2007. As a student in 1988 – 1991 he participated in the Van Castle, Van Castle Barrow, Gevaş Historical Turkish Cemetery and Bismil Üçtepe Barrow archeological digs and the Diyarbakır Region Surface Research Studies. He worked on the Bafra-İkiztepe digs in 1992 – 2005 as a member of the delegation. He conducted the Sinop-Samsun-Amasya Region Surface Research Studies in connection with his doctorate work. Between September 2005 and August 2006 he utilized the Ilse Böhlund Hanfmann and George Maxim Anossov Hanfmann scholarship provided by the Turkish – American Organization to work at the Australia Melbourne University Archeology, Art History and Classical Languages Institute. In 2007 he started the Amasya-Oluz Barrow systematic archeological dig project as the supervisor. He is still a member of the Istanbul IV Numbered Cultural Heritage Protection Regional Board, the Turkish Institute of Prehistory and the Istanbul University Institute of Eurasia. He was appointed as President of the Istanbul University Department of Fine Arts in April of Nisan 2012.