Black and white portrait of Halil Mert Erdoğan

Latest Writing

Recent essays and readings

Perspective · P003

Reşit Mazhar Ertüzün: Yok Edilirken Bile Gülümseyen Heykeller

Kyzikos’un eserlerinin yok edilmesine kayıtsız kalmayan genç bir kaymakamın, kültür mirasını korumaya adadığı olağanüstü mücadelesi.

Pazar Okumaları · SR-005

Kaya Resimlerini Kanla mı Boyadılar?

Yaklaşık iki bin yıldır canlılığını koruyan Huashan kaya resimlerinin boyasında kireç, pigment ve kan kullanılmış olabilir.

Pazar Okumaları · SR-004

Ahşap Bir Seks Oyuncağı?

1992 yılında dikiş aleti olarak yorumlanan ahşap bir buluntu, yıllar sonra yeniden inceleniyor. Koruyucu bir unsur, havan tokmağı ya da cinsel amaçlı bir nesne?

Formal black and white portrait of Halil Mert Erdoğan

Exploring the human past through archaeology, architecture and material culture.

Halil Mert Erdoğan is an Assistant Professor of Archaeology and Deputy Director of the Olympos Excavations. For the past nine years, he has taught archaeology and architectural documentation at university level while actively participating in archaeological fieldwork across Türkiye.

His field experience includes four excavation seasons at Rhodiapolis, three years with the Beydağları Survey Project, eight years as a member of the scientific committee of the Xanthos Excavations, and ongoing survey research at Prokonnesos. He currently continues his work as Deputy Director of the Olympos Excavations, where his research focuses on ancient architecture, sculpture, religious practices and the interpretation of archaeological evidence.

His academic interests centre on the archaeology of Lycia and Anatolia, with particular emphasis on architectural documentation, material culture, archaeological interpretation and cultural heritage. His research combines long-term fieldwork with architectural analysis, digital documentation and scholarly publication.

Archaeological fieldwork at Xanthos

Fieldwork

Fieldwork at Xanthos

Close observation, architectural recording and interpretation begin at the monument itself. Fieldwork remains central to the way archaeological questions are formed and tested.

Aerial landscape of Olympos
Olympos

Landscape, settlement and the archaeology of place.

Research

Selected research themes and archaeological materials

Seated Hephaistos sculpture from Olympos

Ancient Sculpture · Olympos

Hephaistos and the religious landscape of Olympos

A study of a seated male cult image identified through sculptural fragments, iconography and the wider religious setting of the city.

Multiple views of a reconstructed Zeus head

Cult Image · Architectural Context

Reconstructing Zeus Olympios

Fragment-based reconstruction brings together sculpture, temple architecture and archaeological context to reconsider the monumental cult image of Olympos.

Ancient masonry wall

Ancient Architecture

Reading masonry as archaeological evidence

Construction techniques, wall fabrics and architectural relationships preserve evidence for chronology, planning and changing use.

Publications

Selected work

2026

A CULT STATUE OF ZEUS OLYMPIOS FROM OLYMPOS (LYCIA)

Oxford Journal of Archaeology

2025

A SMALL-SIZE STATUE OF HEPHAISTOS FROM OLYMPOS (LYKIA)

OLBA

2023

Xanthos West Agora III: Dynastic Nele

Adalya

Perspectives

Reflections on archaeological practice, fieldwork and the production of knowledge.

Archaeology · Rhodiapolis · Asklepieion

When I Saw the Asclepius of Aspendos...

A newly discovered Asclepius from Aspendos brought back memories of Rhodiapolis: its Asklepieion, medical library, Sanctuary of Asclepius and Hygieia, and long days spent working among the stones.

7 August 2026 Turkish · English
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Pazar Okumaları

A weekly selection of archaeological, historical and interdisciplinary readings.

Pazar Okumaları 005: Kaya Resimlerini Kanla mı Boyadılar?

Pazar Okumaları • SR-005

Kaya Resimlerini Kanla mı Boyadılar?

Yaklaşık iki bin yıldır canlılığını koruyan Huashan kaya resimlerinin boyasında kireç, pigment ve kan kullanılmış olabilir.

30 August 2026 2 min read
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Contact

Academic enquiries, collaboration and research correspondence.