The architectural features and conservation proposals for traditional houses in the Yazidi villages of Midyat: The case of Yenice (Xarabya) village

Traditional rural settlements can undergo transformation over time due to various social, economic, technical, or legal factors; this process may sometimes lead to population decline and the eventual abandonment of settlements. Such developments complicate the preservation of cultural heritage and pose the risk of certain values disappearing over time. Therefore, it is essential to develop conservation strategies that analyze past values and ensure their continuity in harmony with contemporary life. The district of Midyat in Mardin stands out as one of the significant cultural centers of Mesopotamia, where different ethnic and religious groups have historically coexisted, and this diversity is reflected in its architectural fabric. The Yazidis form an integral part of Midyat's multicultural identity, and the villages and settlements belonging to this community constitute an important component of the region's historical and cultural richness. Yenice (Xarabya) village, affiliated with Midyat, is one of the most notable settlements in the region due to its level of preservation and authentic spatial characteristics. The Yenice Settlement was officially designated as a 2nd-degree archaeological site by the decision of the Şanlıurfa Regional Council for the Conservation of Cultural Property, dated 24.03.2021 and numbered 6150, and thus brought under legal protection. Although general efforts to safeguard the cultural heritage of the area are being carried out by the relevant public institutions, detailed documentation and inventory studies at the individual building scale within the settlement have not yet been conducted. The main objective of this study is to address this gap by comprehensively documenting the spatial fabric, cultural heritage elements, and traditional living practices of the Yenice settlement. In doing so, it aims to contribute to the development of scientifically grounded, applicable, and sustainable conservation approaches. The thesis consists of eight main chapters. The first chapter outlines the core problem, aim, significance, scope, limitations, and the materials and methods used in the study. The second chapter explores the historical background of the Yazidi faith, its fundamental beliefs and worship practices, and its socio-cultural structure; additionally, Yazidi settlements in the rural areas of Midyat are examined in terms of their geographical, demographic, and cultural aspects. The third chapter focuses on the physical setting, geographical features, historical development, and social structure of the village of Yenice. In the fourth chapter, the general settlement pattern of the village is analyzed through the building stock that includes 131 houses and 3 abbaras (traditional vaulted passageways) spread across 102 parcels. The current conditions are presented with supporting data, maps, and graphs. The fifth chapter examines the architectural characteristics of the traditional houses located within the conservation site boundaries, focusing on their plan and façade typologies, structural elements, construction materials, and load-bearing systems. In this context, measured drawings of 16 houses located on 14 parcels, each reflecting different spatial patterns, were documented using traditional survey and drawing methods. Inventory forms were prepared for a total of 30 buildings, primarily including the ones surveyed in detail. The sixth chapter analyzes the causes of deterioration and the conservation issues encountered, considering current legal regulations and socio-economic conditions, both at the individual building and settlement scale; these findings are supported by a SWOT analysis. The seventh chapter proposes preservation and restoration strategies for the architectural heritage of the village, adopting a problem-solving approach. Within this framework, buildings on 51 parcels that were identified as having cultural value were recommended for official registration according to their existing characteristics. In the eighth and final chapter, the main findings obtained throughout the research process are summarized, and the proposed strategies are presented through a holistic and sustainable approach.