Visit to the Dean’s Office and Book Presentation by Prof. Dr. Lütfiye Göktaş Kaya
Prof. Dr. Lütfiye GÖKTAŞ KAYA, a faculty member of the Department of Art History at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, paid a visit to the Dean, Prof. Dr. Muhittin KAPANŞAHİN, and presented her recently completed book, prepared within the scope of a scientific research project conducted on behalf of the Ministry of Culture. Research Assistant Elif ÖZDEMİR AKYÜREK also accompanied the visit.
The work authored by Prof. Dr. Lütfiye GÖKTAŞ KAYA focuses on graves and gravestones, constituting a significant component of the archaeological surface survey carried out for the identification and registration of immovable cultural heritage in the province of Karabük. Within the scope of the study, graves identified in the districts of Eflani, Eskipazar, Karabük Center, Ovacık, Safranbolu, and Yenice, as well as their affiliated villages, were examined, with 1,000 of these analyzed in detail.
In the book, gravestones are evaluated not only as epigraphic elements but also as primary sources reflecting the social, cultural, and historical memory of a given locality. The examined gravestones are analyzed in terms of names, dates, titles, and symbols, thereby shedding light on the demographic and socio-cultural structure of the region over an approximately 293-year period, spanning from 1650 to 1943. In this respect, the study provides an opportunity to interpret the historical identity of Karabük and its surroundings through funerary monuments.
The findings of the research indicate that the level of preservation of gravestones, particularly in the center and villages of Safranbolu, is comparatively higher than in other areas. However, field observations also revealed that the local population possesses limited knowledge regarding previous generations, suggesting a weakening of urban memory and a disruption in the transmission of cultural heritage.
During the visit, Dean Prof. Dr. Muhittin KAPANŞAHİN emphasized the academic significance of the study for local history and cultural heritage research, and congratulated Prof. Dr. Lütfiye GÖKTAŞ KAYA for her meticulous and comprehensive work. He highlighted that gravestones constitute valuable historical documents and noted that such scholarly contributions play a crucial role in enriching the academic literature while also supporting the preservation of cultural heritage. He also extended his appreciation to all contributors involved in the research.
In this context, the study not only contributes to the illumination of local history but also underscores the importance of preserving immovable cultural heritage and transmitting it to future generations. It further demonstrates the necessity of examining gravestones in conjunction with other historical and cultural components within urban studies.
The visit concluded with mutual expressions of goodwill and an exchange of views on ongoing academic research.