The First Field Studies of the TÜBİTAK 3005 Project Involving Res. Asst. Alperen ÖZDEMİR Have Been Completed

Within the scope of the TÜBİTAK 3005 – Innovative Solutions in Social and Human Sciences Research Projects Support Program, the first field studies of the project titled “Reconstruction of Historical Caravan Routes with Historical Geographic Information Systems: The Road Network of Antalya, Burdur, Isparta from Past to Present” were completed between July 09–30, 2025.

The project is led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. İlker YİĞİT from Marmara University, with the project team consisting of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Fatih ADIGÜZEL from Bitlis Eren University, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Leyla KILIÇ AKSU from Uşak University, Dr. Lecturer Salih SOSLU from Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University, and Research Assistant Alperen ÖZDEMİR from our department serving as researchers.

The field studies in Burdur were conducted by MAKÜ academics; Dr. Lecturer Salih SOSLU from the Department of Archaeology conducted archaeological research on the Ancient Roman Road Network. Research Assistant Alperen ÖZDEMİR from the Department of Geography carried out the photographing, recording, and transferring of ancient roads to a digital database with the help of technical devices.

Project Objective

From the Ancient Age through the Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk, Beyliks, and Ottoman periods to the present day, to identify, record, map, and present to the scientific world and the general public via an online platform the historical roads located north of Burdur–Isparta–Antalya, known today as the Lake District.

In this direction; the data created with archaeological studies, historical archive sources, and on-site field observations will be processed on Geographic Information Systems (ArcGIS, ArcMap) and Mapbox platforms, producing scientific outputs that will contribute to the cultural heritage of the region.

The project is also important in terms of creating cultural routes that will promote rural tourism and revealing the tourism potential of historical caravan routes.

Project Name: Reconstruction of Historical Caravan Routes with Historical Geographic Information Systems: The Road Network of Antalya, Burdur, Isparta from Past to Present

Project Leader: Assoc. Prof. Dr. İlker YİĞİT (Marmara University)

Project Team:

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Fatih ADIGÜZEL (Bitlis Eren University)

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Leyla KILIÇ AKSU (Uşak University)

Dr. Lecturer Salih SOSLU (Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University)

Research Assistant Alperen ÖZDEMİR (Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University, Department of Geography)

Project Duration: 24 months (2025–2026)