Abstract:

Abstract In his book of “The Spirit of the Laws” of 1748, XVIIIth century French Enlightment philosopher Montesquieu, indicates that the necessity of existence of an idea behind laws which rules and compozes human behaviours and relations among humans. The modern understanding and engagement of heritage conservation and related legal framework which first emerged in Turkey in the XIXth century were also based upon a previous intellectual accumulation. In Turkey, modern thinking of heritage conservation and early efforts in this field first appeared in the mid of XIXth century during the period of Reforrmation (Tanzimat). Since concept of heritage protection site is first mentioned in a legal text in Turkey in 1973, it looks that, heritage conservation and sites for protection became almost familiar in public opinion with all of its negative or positive connotations. After all efforts and accomplishments in the field of conservation and preservation of natural and cultural heritages, some fundamental problems still remain topical and keep its critical importance. Therefore in a sense “a back to the basics” can be pronounced in heritage conservation. Probably, “raison d’etre” (reason of being) of heritage preservation is the first of these problems and questions. “Why to conserve?” This fundamental question which looks overrun, vanished from the agenda and left behind with a number of appropriate answers through sufficient debates and examinations still magnificiently stands as a monument. Always it should be keep in mind that preservation and conservation of heritages is an effort to preserve knowledge but an endeavour of history making also.

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