‘We Asked 3,601 People’: A Nationwide Public Opinion Poll on Attitudes Towards Archaeology and Archaeological Assets in Turkey

Abstract

The Safeguarding Archaeological Assets of Turkey (SARAT) project is aimed at increasing knowledge, capacity, and awareness for the better protection and appreciation of Turkey’s archaeological assets. Within the scope of SARAT, a nationwide public opinion poll for mapping the relationship between archaeology and society in Turkey was designed and conducted. The fieldwork was carried out on 12–13 May 2018 across 103 districts of 29 Turkish provinces. Structured questionnaires were administered to 3,601 individuals above the age of 18 by employing face-to-face interview methodology. The results shed light on various aspects of the relationships between a community as diverse, dynamic, and populated as Turkey’s, and archaeology and archaeological assets located in this country. They have also been put into use as guidelines for designing various activities of the project that seek to increase public appreciation and awareness of archaeological assets. These activities include workshops with journalists on informed and accurate archaeological reporting, an online certificate programme for safeguarding and rescuing archaeological assets, workshops on Archaeology in Local Contexts as well as social media campaigns.