Evaluation of Paleontological Heritage Sites in Türkiye: Scale Design

Natural and cultural heritage sites are protected according to international and national laws. As of 2024, according to the lists of the Ministry of Culture, there are 624 sites where archaeological and paleontological excavations and similar studies are being conducted in Türkiye. These all form parts of the nation’s heritage, including paleontological, geological, and archaeological heritage elements. Here, we emphasize the importance of revealing the heritage values ​​of these areas within the context of their historical development, distribution, and relationship with the environment. We present an applied model using a scale to determine heritage value, focusing on three main dimensions—scientific, educational, and tourism—based on literature, expert opinions, and preliminary applications. For each main dimension, 48 items with four different ratings were prepared. The validity and reliability studies of the scale have been completed and are presented in the appendix of this publication.