The stratification of meaning in archaeological assets: A reading on the theater of ancient city of Aphrodisias in the late antiquity

Archaeological assets have different meanings due to their existence in time and space. Throughout their life cycle, they are rebuilt, transformed or demolished, both physically and semantically, and continue their existence until nowday. This situation gives them new meanings and leads to the formation of a stratification. Uncovering the meaning(s) of the archaeological asset provides an important input into the interpretation and decision-making phase of architectural conservation and supports the holistic survival of cultural heritage. 'The Stratification of Meaning in Archaeological Assets: A Reading on the Ancient Theater of the Ancient City of Aphrodisias in the Late Antiquity', this study focuses on the layering process in the meaning of the Ancient Theater of Aphrodisias between the 4th and 7th centuries, as a result of the changing and transforming dynamics of the period. The problem/problem area of the selected research topic aims to understand and interpret the layers of meaning of a material culture of the past, which has been attributed a very meaningful archaeological heritage value, through architecture, text and urban language, and tries to reveal this with a reading model that includes 'hermeneutic' approach. Key Words: Architectural Conservation, Stratification of Meaning, Hermeneutics, Archaeological Assets, Theater of Aphrodisias, Late Antiquity