Frontiers as a Rural Landscape: Conserving the Remains of the Roman Empire in Anatolia

Abstract

Roman frontiers, a part of which passes through Anatolia, are significant heritage remnants of the Roman Empire. Although essential steps have been taken to protect these frontiers and increase their visibility, efforts to protect the Roman frontier in Anatolia are insufficient. The construction of dams and the failure to consider archaeological sites and rural landscapes together create barriers to protection. This study investigates the conservation problems, implementations, and status of the Roman frontier in Anatolia. Common problems, exemplary legal regulations, and conservation practices are discussed by comparing the Anatolian and European frontier sections. Based on this discussion, we advocate for new legal regulations for rural-archaeological sites, increased research on the Roman frontier in Anatolia, greater awareness to strengthen its relationship with the public, and holistic conservation policies that prioritise the relationship of archaeological heritage with the landscape.