George E. Downs
Mapping Change in Aegean Heritagescapes: a study of archaeological experience and management at Telmessos (Fethiye)
Biography
George was awarded an MA in Archaeology (2021) and a BA in International Policy (2019) from the University of Liverpool. His research focused on migration and identity in the Iron Age, Archaic and early Classical periods (7th-5th centuries BC) at Emporion (Catalonia) and Phokaia (Ionia).
Following employment in fieldwork archaeology, he worked on a Türkiye conservation project funded by the British Council’s Cultural Protection Fund. He is now a prehistoric World Heritage Site Officer and contributes to the University of Liverpool’s Milesian Tales research group.
His PhD thesis investigates heritagescapes of the wider Aegean world. At Lycian Telmessos (Fethiye), he is mapping archaeological experience and management of funerary rock monuments (6th century BC onwards) and their cultural landscape setting, centred in the Kesikkapı ancient neighbourhood. His methodology includes semi-structured interviews with visitors, managers and stakeholders. He draws upon studies of the Emporda heritagescape (Catalonia), famed as the destination of ancient Aegean migrants from Ionia.
Research interests
George’s research interests include investigating:
- The heritage value that we attach to the cultural diversity of the wider ancient Aegean world, including at Lycian and Ionian sites of the Iron Age, Archaic and Classical periods
- Experience and management of these archaeological sites in their contemporary cultural landscape settings
- The interpretation of these archaeological sites in their ancient landscape settings
- Application of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in heritage studies and landscape archaeology
- Cultural heritage policies and history of archaeological study in national contexts, including Türkiye and Catalonia/Spain.