Archaeological Activities of Italians in Bodrum and its Environment (1919-1928)

Various researches and excavations were carried out by archaeologists from the great European states in the late of 19th century in the geography of the Ottoman Empire. The activities of these archaeologists served the expansionist politics of their own state. Italian archaeologists participated in archaeological activities in the Ottoman territories at the beginning of the 20th century. Italian archaeologists, like other archaeologists, served the expansionist politics of their state. Italian archaeologists have conducted various excavations and examinations as pioneers of expansionist politics in Antalya and southwest Anatolia, which are determined as the target geography by the Italian state. Thus, they helped the recognition of the region by the Italian public. During the First World War and the National Struggle, Italian archaeologists made various excavations without encountering any difficulties in Western Anatolia. They also carried out excavation and repair works in Bodrum and its vicinity and took some of the excavated works to Italy and Rhodes. Archaeologists working in excavations in Anatolia and the negative activities taken abroad to be given insights and artefacts due to be returned to the Republic of Turkey did not permit Italian archaeologists working in and around Bodrum. This has led to diplomatic problems in relations between the two countries. However, the normalization of bilateral relations with Italy, Government of Turkey gave the permission some restrictions, limitations and rules within the Italian archaeologist