‘We don't talk about Çatalhöyük, we live it’: sustainable archaeological practice through community-based participatory research

Community-based participatory research (CBPR) at Çatalhöyük, Turkey, demonstrates how collaborative archaeology can sustainably engage descendant and local communities while advancing heritage management. This five-year model emphasizes reciprocity, action-based engagement, and capacity-building, distinguishing itself from traditional archaeological practices. Highlighted components include a community internship program and an archaeological community theatre project, both of which effectively integrate communities into research processes. The study underscores CBPR's potential as a transformative approach, fostering deeper connections between archaeologists and local stakeholders while preserving the site's cultural significance.

Atalay, S. (2010). ‘We don’t talk about Çatalhöyük, we live it’: sustainable archaeological practice through community-based participatory research. World Archaeology, 42(3), 418–429. https://doi.org/10.1080/00438243.2010.497394