This study examines the European influence on Ottoman antiquities legislation enacted between 1869 and 1906. Official documents regarding the preparatory phases of the Laws issued include references to the legislation of European countries. For instance, archival records indicate that French practices inspired the 1869 Law and that authorities reportedly drafted the 1874 and 1884 Laws through translations of foreign statutes. However, the specific European models used and the extent of their influence remain ambiguous. Accordingly, this study first examines the impact of French law on the 1869 Law and then explores the influence of other European legal systems on subsequent legislation. The article comparatively analyses these laws, together with Ottoman archival materials, legislative drafts, and official correspondence, alongside the relevant legislation of France, Italy, Greece, Spain, and Austria. The findings reveal that the influence of French law was limited, whereas that of Italian and Greek legal frameworks was more pronounced. Ultimately, the study demonstrates that the Ottoman Empire, while benefiting significantly from European legislation, developed original provisions tailored to its own administrative experience and historical needs.
Muhammed Raşit AKGÜN (Mon,) studied this question.