by Sanne de Jong
In the autumn of 2024, I got the amazing opportunity to spend one month in Istanbul as a residential fellow at the Netherlands Institute in Turkey (NIT). The fellowship provided me with access to the NIT’s extensive library. Furthermore, I was fortunate to stay, together with another fellow, in an apartment just a street away from the institute, which allowed for both convenience and immersion in the city’s vibrant atmosphere. The apartment was great and had everything one would need, it soon felt like home.
The fellowship created an ideal environment for conducting research for my PhD project. The library’s comprehensive collection and welcoming atmosphere provided the perfect setting for focused study. The office chairs in the library were amazing and very comfortable for a long day of research (normally, I don’t write about chairs, but they deserve to be acknowledged). Beyond the library, the central location of the institute in Istanbul, located on one of Istanbul’s main streets, allowed me to take full advantage of the other institutions and libraries of the city, which were all close by. There was enough opportunity to attend lectures and events, not only organized by the NIT but also by or in collaboration with other institutions like ANAMED (Research Center for Anatolian Civilizations), the Swedish Institute, or the German Archaeological Institute. These experiences enriched my academic perspective, and they are great opportunities to meet and talk to other specialists with research on Turkey and Anatolia. But, most importantly, the support from the NIT team – including guidance in the library and generous hospitality during lunch sessions with delicious Turkish food – contributed immensely to the productivity and enjoyment of my stay.
During my stay, I was able to work on a specific case study within my PhD project, which focuses on the effects of volcanic-induced climate change on Roman society between 43 BCE and 650 CE. It centers on three historical case studies, one of which examines the Eastern Roman Empire during the sixth century. During my stay at the NIT, I was able to brainstorm ideas for my second article and complete an abstract for an upcoming conference. Most importantly, I was able to deepen my understanding of the climate and geography of Istanbul and the broader Anatolian region, which are crucial for contextualizing my research on late antique Constantinople. Experiencing the current climate and geography allowed me to better understand their historical significance. Istanbul’s unique geographical position, situated between two continents and surrounded by vital waterways, played a critical role in the history of the Roman Empire.
I wanted to focus my research on the socio-political effects of climate change in the sixth century, especially in the context of some other challenges the Eastern Roman Empire faced in this period, such as external threats, earthquakes, and internal social unrest. I discovered little research has been done on socio-political unrest in the context of climate change and on the possible amplifying characteristics of climate change in this period. My stay in Istanbul provided the perfect inspiration to come up with this research, especially since Istanbul faces many challenges as well, yet is also a very resilient city.
Other than providing me with the possibility to stay in the vibrant city of Istanbul, being in Turkey gave me the chance to explore some other parts of the country. Before I went to the NIT, I visited several remarkable archaeological sites. The ancient cities of Prience, Miletos, Aphrodisias, and Sardis provided invaluable perspectives on the region’s historical development. Furthermore, I was able to visit Kula Geopark, a UNESCO-recognized site with enormous lava fields and volcanic mounds, offering unique insights into Turkey’s geological past.
Finally, I would like to express my gratitude to the NIT team – Fokke, Aysel, Gülşah, and İrem – for making this fellowship possible. The opportunity to conduct research at your library, to visit the vibrant city of Istanbul, and the thoughtful organization of the accommodation were instrumental in advancing my research. I also truly appreciated the warm and inspiring atmosphere you created, both during work hours and outside of them during lunch and drinks. Thank you all for this unforgettable experience. I am very grateful for this opportunity and look forward to applying the insights gained during my stay to my ongoing research. Hoping to be back at the NIT in Istanbul very soon!