Roman Amphitheatres in Turkey: Conservation and Enhancement Strategies in Light of Recent Discoveries

Archaeological remains of Roman amphitheatres in Turkey have always been very scarce compared with those in other parts of the Roman Empire. For a long time, academic literature – and travellers before that – described the remains of only a handful of examples. This stands in stark contrast to the remains of ancient theatres, which are found in considerable numbers. More recent discoveries, however, have brought to light other amphitheatres previously unknown until a few years ago. By analysing the available sources and the latest insights from the international scientific community in the field of conservation, it is possible to accurately assess the current state of knowledge regarding archaeological discoveries of amphitheatres in Turkey, proposing a classification that takes into account uses and transformations even during the late antique period. Furthermore, on this basis, it is possible to identify appropriate strategies for implementing effective conservation and enhancement measures for the sites. It is necessary to identify measures for the archaeological protection in relation to natural forces, human-induced phenomena and connections with the landscape.