British Institute of Archaeology at Ankara 1938-1953

This thesis aims to examine opening progress and establishment of British Archaeology Institute at Ankara. The Institute was utilized as a centre for the British cultural propaganda in Turkey during the early republican era. The British Archaeology Institute at Ankara was established by the British Council in order to answer the need in archaeology, historical heritage, propaganda and cultural diplomacy. Main motivation behind choosing this topic as a master thesis was the curiosity to examine the importance of the cultural researches, cultural propaganda and the studies that England has applied in international platforms as well as during the late Ottoman and early Republican periods. In this way, I examined the policies pursued by England via British Archaeology Institute at Ankara (now British Institute at Ankara). The study also surveyed the idea of establishment, goals, establishment steps, discussions about the different opinions and the researches conducted by the institute following its establishment. The study aimed to shed light on opening process of British Archaeology Institute from both Turkish and British perspectives. The scope of thesis has been expanded on archaeology, propaganda, diplomacy and cultural activities. Primary sources for the research such as official reports and correspondences between British government and its agencies mostly derived from the British Archives. In addition to the archival sources, published materials and relevant studies related to topic were consulted. By the examination of aforementioned sources, the study aimed to explain the reflections and results of the English policies on Ottoman Empire and Republic of Turkey.