World heritage and outstanding universal value: an assessment on the ancient city of Sardis and the Bin Tepe Lydian Tumuli

Sardis, the former capital of the Lydian civilization (7th–6th centuries BC), and the Bin Tepe Lydian Tumuli were recognized for their 'Outstanding Universal Value' as part of UNESCO's World Heritage Temporary List in 2013. This significance stems from Sardis' pivotal role in global economic history—it was the birthplace of coinage, a development that rapidly spread across civilizations—and its layered architectural heritage spanning Lydian, Hellenistic, and Roman periods. The site's multi-tiered structures, including monumental tombs, city walls, theaters, temples, bath-gymnasium complexes, and synagogues, reflect its continuous cultural evolution under successive empires. This assessment highlights Sardis' universal importance by evaluating it against UNESCO's criteria, positioning it as a candidate for permanent World Heritage status.

Eraslan, Ş. (2025). World heritage and outstanding universal value: an assessment on the ancient city of Sardis and the Bin Tepe Lydian Tumuli. Journal of Awareness, 10(1), e2829. https://doi.org/10.26809/joa.2829