The Silent Spaces of Cultural Heritage: The Transformation of Archaeological Excavation Houses

Abstract

With the development of the discipline of archaeology, excavation houses emerged initially as temporary shelter solutions; over time, however, the extension of excavation periods, the diversification of working conditions, and the increase in interdisciplinary studies led them to evolve into more permanent and functional spaces. It is observed that excavation houses do not possess a fixed typology; rather, various spatial forms—from tents and school buildings to prefabricated structures, as well as historical and modern buildings—have been utilized for this purpose. Today, excavation houses have become multifunctional environments that not only serve as places of accommodation and work, but also enhance the quality of archaeological practice, support public awareness, and contribute to the transmission of cultural heritage. In this study, the spatial transformation of archaeological excavation houses throughout the historical process has been examined and evaluated through selected case studies. Excavation houses are addressed under two main categories—temporary and permanent accommodation—and, based on research and observations, these categories are further divided into subcategories and analyzed through examples. The fact that excavation houses have not previously been examined within this scope, and that no comparable study has been encountered in the literature, highlights the original contribution of this research.