In the heart of western Anatolia, a digital treasure trove has been unlocked, offering unprecedented insights into the region’s Bronze Age past. Alper Aşınmaz, leading the Geleceğe Miras Project (Lyrbe Archaeological Project) under the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Culture and Tourism, has compiled a comprehensive dataset of 483 archaeological settlement sites dating back to the Middle and Late Bronze Age (c. 2000–1200 BCE). This meticulously curated collection, published on Zenodo, is not just a historical archive but a beacon for future research and commercial opportunities, particularly in the energy sector.
The dataset, a decade in the making, amalgamates evidence from excavation reports, systematic surveys, historical sources, and remote sensing. Each site is georeferenced and described through a standardized set of metadata, including chronological attribution, site function, material culture, bibliographic references, and associated ancient mineral resources. “This is more than just a catalogue; it’s a gateway to understanding the regional settlement systems and their evolution over time,” Aşınmaz explains.
The significance of this dataset extends beyond academia. For the energy sector, understanding the historical context and mineral resources of these sites can provide valuable insights. “By linking settlement entries to external reference datasets and open knowledge bases, we enable comparative, geospatial, and interdisciplinary research,” Aşınmaz adds. This semantic interoperability can facilitate the identification of historically significant mineral resources, potentially guiding modern exploration and extraction efforts.
The dataset’s open accessibility and transparent, openly licensed foundation encourage comprehensive approaches to studying Bronze Age Anatolia. It paves the way for future developments in digital humanities and historical geography, fostering a collaborative environment for researchers and industry professionals alike.
As Aşınmaz puts it, “This resource is a stepping stone for more integrated and innovative approaches to regional studies.” The dataset, published in *Scientific Data* (translated to English as *Bilimsel Veri*), is a testament to the power of digital infrastructures in bridging the past and the future, offering a wealth of opportunities for both historical research and commercial applications in the energy sector.