Insediamenti Rurali, Miniera E Il Cambiamento Del Paesaggio: Esplorazione Delle Dinamiche Della Storia Del Paesaggio A Yatağan, Turchia / Rural Settlements, Mining And The Changing Landscape: Exploring The Dynamics Of Landscape History In Yatağan, Turkey

This study focuses on the interplay between environmental history, which is how humans have shaped and been shaped their environment, and landscape history, that is a history of how humans preserved and managed the landscape, with a specific case study of Yatagan in the Mugla province in southwest of Turkeys. The region is characterized by its rich over and underground natural resources. Historically, the rural communities of Yatagan have thrived through agricultural production, heavily influenced by the regions mild climate, fertile lands, and local resources. The relationships between resources, values, anthropisation dynamics, and the construction of meaning within landscapes have shaped the daily life practices, cultural formations, and the overall socioeconomic framework of these communities. However, significant changes have occurred with the emergence of coal mining activities since the 1980s. This sector has gained prominence, impacting both the landscape and the rural communities of Yatagan. The establishment of the Thermal Power Plant and subsequent coal mining operations have had direct and indirect effects on the environment, altering land use patterns and causing the relocation of local communities. As a consequence, traditional rural settlements, witnessing the local and landscape history, have been either demolished or abandoned, resulting in the loss of valuable documentary sources, traditional knowledge, and customs. This paper aims to explore the significance of rural settlements in Yatagan within the context of environmental and landscape history. Drawing from literature, visual sources, and observations, it will assess the transformation brought about by coal mining activities on the rural communities and their surroundings. By analyzing the changing environmental circumstances and socioeconomic frameworks, the study will shed light on the dynamics of the process both uncovering its historical developments and assessing its implications for the future. Through this examination, the paper contributes to the exploration of the relationship between environmental history and landscape history, specifically emphasizing the impact of mining activities on resources, values, and the construction of meaning within the Yatagan landscape.