STATE, ARCHEOLOGY AND ANTIQUITIES: BURSA BRANCH OF IMPERIAL MUSEUM AS EXAMPLE OF PROVINCIAL MUSEOLOGY

The issue of trafficking and pillaging of antiquities, that have been in the land in Ottoman but seen by the West as its own heritage, has occupied our history through long ages. Commencing of museology and, following this, enacting of old artifacts law in Ottoman Empire paved the way for the antiquities to increase in value, be seen as a part of cultural heritage, and changing the attributed meaning of past. Museology initiated in center had been sought to extend into rural areas at the end of 19th and at the beginning of 20th century, archeological excavations and surface surveys also had been conducted by stricter rules. The article, firstly, addresses to issues of archeology, politics, and understanding of old artifacts in the sample of city of Bursa through which Ottoman modernization can be analyzed in micro level and institutional context. Secondly, the article scrutinizes the processes of establishment and development of Bursa Branch of Imperial Museum.