Testing and Conservation Actions in the Hittite Mud Bricks Fortification of Porsuk – Zeyve Höyük (Southern Capapdocia, Türkiye)

Résumé En

This paper will present the testings and actions of conservations lead in the archaeological excavation of Porsuk – Zeyve Höyük in Southern Cappadocia (Türkiye). The site of Porsuk – Zeyve Höyük is mainly characterized by its Hittite mud bricks fortification built in 1600 BC and repaired and rearranged after 1280 and in 837 BC, after wars and fires. It isthe unique example of 8 meters of original mud bricks walls from the Hittite period in Türkiye. The first objective of the study is to understand the history of the fortification that means construction, destructions,reconfigurations, and restorations of the mud bricksfortifications of Porsuk – Zeyve Höyük during Antiquity. The second objective isthe realisation of a mud bricks workshop, using the knowledge and know-how of Porsuk region local inhabitants (the mud bricks architecture is still used in this mountainous region of Türkiye). The third objective is to test techniques of encapsulation to protect original Hittite mud bricks structures. The fourth objective is a reflection about the valorisation of the conservation and preservation of the mud bricks Hittite fortification. The methods employed are research-action methods: archaeological excavations, mud bricks production, testing of the preservation and conservation actions of encapsulations.The conclusions are the creation of a management plan for the conservation and valorisation of the mud bricks architectures of Porsuk – Zeyve Höyük, in relation with a project of mud bricks centre of interpretation from Antiquity to nowadays in the village of Porsuk (Niğde province), linked to sustainable tourism and development in the region.