Evaluation of Restoration Interventions in the Ancient Theater of Ephesus in Terms of National and International Conservation Principles

Efes Antik Tiyatrosu’ndaki Restorasyon Müdahalelerinin Ulusal ve Uluslararası Koruma İlkeleri Bağlamında Değerlendirilmesi

Abstract

Theaters, which can be integrated into contemporary life without altering their original construction purposes, are cultural heritages of documentary nature. International platforms established rules for their use for events and conservation of cultural traces they possess. The preservation and restoration efforts in theaters, aimed at bringing them back into modern life, have evolved over time, reflecting shifts in techniques and approaches from past to present. The study aims to emphasize why and how changing restoration techniques have been used in the theaters’ integration into contemporary life and to evaluate restoration works conducted over the years on these monuments in the context of national and international conservation legislation. The scope was determined as the Ancient Theater of Ephesus, where the first restoration works began with the Ephesus Festival organized in 1968, and continued subsequently for tourism-related events. A literature review covering the national and international statutes and laws was conducted to examine the changing restoration works over time, and findings from on-site observations were conveyed through plans and photographs.