Gordion: Open-Air Archaeological Site as Garden, Historical Landscape as Park

By the 1990s, after more than 40 years of archaeological investigation, the deterioration of the standing ruins at Gordion was hard to ignore. After a government sponsored water project brought irrigation to fields far from the river, agricultural development has steadily encroached on the ancient tumuli that characterize the region. For the past 15-20 years, the Gordion project has been attempting to mitigate the adverse effects of climate and economic development on the archaeological resources. This talk focuses on how an understanding of the modern vegetation can inform and enhance both preservation and the touristic experience.

Presented by the Penn Museum's Research Project Manager, Dr. Naomi Miller.