The Survey and Documentation of an Iron Age City in Central Anatolia: Kerkenes Dag 
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KERKENES 
Northern Part of the Site 
A/ Surface features 
City Wall 
SMS Towers 
A/ Geophysical features 
A/ Water 
Urban blocks 
Figure 7a: Geomagnetic data for the North End of the site Figure 7b: Analysis of the North End of the site on GIS 
draped over the three-dimensional GPS topographical data software (two-dimensional combination of the tabular data) 
Figure 8a: Various layers of data for Area B: surface 
features (top left), geomagnetic data (bottom left) and 
interpretive drawing (right) 
4.9 Virtual Three Dimensional Modelling 
The various layers of data collected within the GIS database are also combined in virtual three dimensional modelling software to 
produce models of the site in general as well as those of reconstruction proposals for singular structures and objects. Such models are 
not only effective in reaching out to a wider public, but they are also powerful visual tools for scientists and researchers. (Fig. 9; Figs. 
6d and 8 in Baturayoglu.) 
Figure 8b: Three-dimensional GIS model combining geophysics 
and interpretive drawing draped over GPS topographical data 
5. CONCLUSIONS AND FUTURE RESEARCH DESIGN 
State of the art survey techniques are providing a unique understanding of this major Iron Age city through the recovery of a 
remarkably detailed plan. Imaging techniques allow for graphic visual display and permit the formulation of testable hypotheses that 
will shed light on the urban dynamics, one of the aims of the project being the reconstruction of a virtual three dimensional model of 
the whole site. Of the three major components, two, balloon photography and GPS mapping are now complete. Geomagnetic survey 
will require two further seasons of intensive work. The results should be of extreme interest to scholars and students of the Ancient 
Near East. 
So far research design has been developed together with the evolution of new technologies. Experimentation with contemporary 
methods has led to their further development not only within the scope of this project but also in terms of their application in 
archaeology in Turkey and elsewhere. It has also brought together specialists and scientists from various disciplines. These basic 
principles together with innovative multi-disciplinary aspects of the project will certainly be central to future research design.