Bioarchaeology in Türkiye. Potentials and Challenges in the Historical Periods

Archaeology has a distinct strength in its dynamic integration with the sciences. This theoretical and methodological entanglement in Turkish archaeology has perhaps been most strongly established in prehistory, but there is huge potential for incorporation of bioarchaeological studies in research focusing in the historical period, too. The sciences have made significant contributions to our knowledge of past lives and lifeways in Anatolia and neighbouring regions, with many important synthetic works produced in recent years. This has involved knowledge production and highlighting the importance of material from Türkiye for deepening synergies between bioarchaeology and the historical disciplines. 

Against this background, we invite contributions for a conference on bioarchaeological research of the historical periods (Late Bronze Age/2nd millennium BCE until the Ottoman Age) of Anatolia and neighbouring regions. The conference aims to discuss the potential and challenges of bioarchaeological research for the study of the historical periods in these regions between historians, archaeologists, and scientists. 

With these thoughts in mind, we aim to create a place and time for dialogue with the aim of increasing communication and integration, rather than presentation of materials and data only. Therefore, we especially welcome contributions which address this issue within the scope of the following themes:

• Bioarchaeology and History: Theory and Methodology
• Bioarchaeology and Socio-ecological Systems
• Landscapes and Environmental Change
• Rural vs. Urban
• Mobility and Migration
• Social Inequality
• Economic Practices and Strategies
• Family and Kinship
• Age and Gender
• Conflict, violence, and warfare
• Past&Present: Integration and Dialogue 

Contributions from all relevant disciplines (such as history, archaeology, geography, archaeobotany, zooarchaeology, human osteoarchaeology, biomolecular sciences etc.) are welcome. Particularly promising are interdisciplinary presentations bridging the gap between science, archaeology, and history. 

Contributions should be in the form of oral presentations (20 minutes + 10 minutes for Q&A) or posters. There will be a dedicated poster session including a discussion of the research presented on them.

The conference, hosted at Bilkent University and Hacettepe University, in collaboration with the British Institute at Ankara (BIAA), the German Archaeological Institute Istanbul (DAI) and an international board of specialists, will be held from the 18th to 20th of March 2027.

We particularly welcome, and encourage, contributions from Early Career Researchers.  

The conference will be free-of-charge to attend, although registration will be required - information regarding registration will be forthcoming. Accommodation on campus will be provided for speakers and poster presenters.

Abstracts should be submitted to: bioarch2027@bilkent.edu.tr by Friday 12th of June 2026 in the following format: Title; Author Names, Author Affiliations and Email addresses; Abstract text (no more than 300 words). Please also specify whether you will be presenting an oral presentation or a poster and which theme you wish your paper to contribute towards. 

There will be limited funding to help with travel. If you wish to request assistance, please include this with your abstract.

For more information and enquiries: bioarch2027@bilkent.edu.tr

Scientific Committee: Ezgi Altınışık, Ferran Antolin, Canan Çakırlar, Yılmaz Selim Erdal, Benjamin Irvine, Doğa Karakaya, Rana Özbal, Felix Pirson, Derya Silibolatlaz Baykara, Mehmet Somel, Wolf-Rüdiger Teegen, Lutgarde Vandeput.

Organisation Board: Yılmaz Selim Erdal, Benjamin Irvine, Felix Pirson, Lutgarde Vandeput.