The Mysteries of the Frontier Fortresses of Eastern Mediterranean: The SEABORD project

Dilek Ozkan Pantazis is currently an MSCA Post-Doctoral Research fellow at Science and Technology in Archaeology and Cultural Heritage (STARC), the Cyprus Institute (CyI). She is leading project SEABORD, funded by the EU as part of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, 2022.

Dilek shares her thoughts on SEABORD research: “As a historian exploring the frontier fortress-towns in the Eastern Mediterranean under Ottoman rule, my Marie Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship project, SEABORD, is a dream come true. Focusing on key sites in the Peloponnese, Crete, and Cyprus, my project aimed to uncover their history during a less studied era. Through a combination of archival research, site visits, and digital technologies this work addresses a crucial gap in our understanding of these monuments’ role in forming the sea borders in the Mediterranean Sea. I am very excited to share this journey with the support of The Andreas Pittas Art Characterization Laboratories (APAC Labs) at the Cyprus Institute, as being its host institution.

Joining APAC Labs has been transformative for my research. Under the guidance of Prof. Nikolas Bakirtzis, I am immersed in an interdisciplinary environment that blends art history with advanced scientific techniques. The labs’ commitment to innovative cultural heritage research aligns perfectly with my project's goals, and I find great inspiration in collaborating with colleagues who are passionate about their works. The specialized team at APAC Labs has been incredibly supportive, providing me with hands-on training in field work, digital 2D and 3D visualization technologies, GIS and data management. This training prepares me with the skills I need to create compelling visual representations of Ottoman frontier towns, allowing me to tell their stories in a different way. I truly appreciate the mentorship and insights I receive, which empower me to think creatively about my research.

At this stage of the SEABORD project, I am excited to be working on several key activities that bring the research to life. One of the most exciting aspects is the development of a digital museum, which will be realized with the technical and artistic support of the APAC Labs. This digital museum will not only showcase the project’s findings but also provide an interactive way for the general public to engage with the history of Ottoman frontier fortresses. Hosted under APAC’s projects page, it will reflect the innovative side of digital tools and historical research, offering a dynamic platform for disseminating SEABORD’s results.

Currently, I am organizing a one-day international workshop that will take place at The Cyprus Institute, providing an exciting opportunity to exchange ideas about the Mediterranean fortresses and their perception in the cultural heritage policies. Participants will also have the chance to meet the APAC Labs team and become familiar with APAC's facilities and ongoing activities. Alongside this, I’m preparing for conference presentations and working on journal articles. It’s a busy, yet incredibly rewarding time, and I am thrilled about the future discoveries that lie ahead.”