Myths Carved in Stone: Representation of Ancient Mythological Narratives through the Archaeological and Ethnographic Exhibits of the İzmir Culture and Arts Factory Museum
Project no. 33020 · Status: Kapanmış · 2025
Summary
<p>Within the scope of this project, mythological-themed works exhibited at the Archaeology and Ethnography Museum within the Izmir Culture and Arts Factory were comprehensively examined in light of art history, tourism guidance, and archaeology disciplines. The main objective of the study is to reveal the relationships between the geography, historical context, and regional belief systems of the examined works, and to develop an understandable and contextual mythological narrative method and guideline. In this research, qualitative research approaches were used to examine and conduct detailed research on the works of mythological value in the museum. As a result of the examinations, it was determined that the works in the museum are not only aesthetic art products but also figures that reflect the belief system and cultural memory of the period. When evaluated together with archaeological findings, mythological narratives, and iconographic analyses, the beliefs of the period had a direct impact on art. The data obtained shows that Izmir and its surroundings have had a multi-layered cultural identity since ancient times, and the formal and stylistic traces of this identity can often be seen on the works. The results of the project progressed in full alignment with the expected objectives and made a significant contribution to tourism guides and aspiring tourism guides in understanding the connection between the mythological narratives identified through the works and the cultural heritage of the region.</p>