Bridging the Gap Between Science and History: The First Experimental Research Workshop
Title: Proceedings and Outcomes of the I. Historical Peninsula Experimental Research Workshop
Context: Presented at the International Istanbul Historical Peninsula Symposium (2013).
Role: Workshop Moderator and Chair of the Historical Peninsula Experimental Research Commission (İSTYAM).
Abstract
This paper documents the founding vision and results of the first-ever Experimental Research Workshop dedicated to the Historical Peninsula of Istanbul. As the initiator and chair of the commission, I established this platform to bridge the gap between “experimental archaeology” and “experimental history,” bringing together diverse experts—from nuclear physicists to traditional bowyers—under a unified academic umbrella.
A Pioneering Multidisciplinary Initiative
The workshop served as a catalyst for interdisciplinary synergy, addressing the “how” of history through practical experimentation and laboratory diagnostics. It provided a formal structure for researchers who, until then, had been working in isolation on specialized military and maritime history projects.
Key Highlights & Discussions
Military & Maritime Traditions: The sessions featured experimental projects on Ottoman archery (Murat Özveri), the production of Damascus steel (Kayahan Horoz), and the strategic mechanics of Sultan Mehmed II’s cannons (Fırat Buzlu).
Integrating Advanced Diagnostics: A core objective was to introduce experimental researchers to the forensic tools available in laboratories, such as Radiography, XRF analysis, and 3D Laser Scanning, to ensure that experimental reconstructions remain faithful to the original material’s “DNA.”
The Golden Horn Chain Project (HAZDAP): The workshop also introduced vision of the Experimental Research Project for the Golden Horn Chains, utilizing digital modeling and engineering simulations to test historical defense theories.
Significance
Although the symposium series did not continue in subsequent years, this inaugural workshop remains a landmark success in Turkish academia. It proved that the conservator’s role as a scientific coordinator is essential for validating historical narratives through empirical data. It stands as a “manifesto” for experimental history, demonstrating that with institutional support, the vanishing skills of the past can be accurately decoded and preserved for the future.
Genç, U. (2013). “I. Tarihi Yarımada Deneysel Araştırmalar Çalıştayının Ardından”, Uluslararası İstanbul Tarihi Yarımada Sempozyumu, 1-3 Ekim, İSTYAM, İstanbul, 400-417.