Invisible Archaeologies of Decolonization: Western Asian Archaeology, a View from Türkiye

Abstract

The discourse on decolonization in Western Asian archaeology continues to be shaped and evaluated predominantly from outside the region. This external framing views Western Asian archaeology as a separate entity from Western Asia itself, rarely centring the perspectives of local archaeologists or the needs of the communities directly affected by archaeological research. Progress is often measured through activities rooted in Western academic structures — conference organization, publishing, and systems of gatekeeping that define research agendas. In this article, we respond to B. S. Düring’s [2024. ‘Gatekeepers, Geographies, and Access in the Archaeology of West Asia’, Public Archaeology, 23(1–4): 109–21] assessment of decolonization efforts in Western Asian archaeology. We offer a perspective from within Türkiye, a country frequently homogenized or marginalized in regional debates, to critically examine the internal dynamics of decolonization. Drawing on some parameters engaged in decolonization debates, including academic genealogies, publishing practices, visibility, and public engagement, we explore the disconnect between externally constructed narratives and local realities. We argue for a reorientation of the decolonization debate that centres the perspectives, challenges, and priorities of those living and working in the region. Ultimately, we highlight the need to recognize and engage with the specific historical, institutional, and political contexts that shape archaeological practice in Türkiye and rethink what meaningful decolonization might look like from within.