PROF. DR. JALE İNAN AWARD

Prof. Dr. Jale İnan 
(b. 1 February 1914, Istanbul – d. 26 February 2001)

Prof. Dr. Jale İnan was a Turkish archaeologist. She carried out excavations in Side and Perge for more than 40 years and was instrumental in uncovering these two cities and in the restoration of some buildings. Thanks to her, the Agora Baths was converted into a modern museum where the findings in Side are displayed. She was the daughter of Aziz Oğan who was the director of the Istanbul Archaeological Museum.
 
Graduating from Erenköy Girls High School in 1934, Jale İnan studied archaeology at the universities of Berlin and Munich between 1935-43. After completing her doctorate at the University of Berlin in 1943 she returned to Turkey and entered the Istanbul University Faculty of Ancient History as an assistant the same year. When Arif Müfit Mansel founded the Chair of Classical Archaeology in 1946 she transferred to this department. She became an associate professor in 1953 and a full professor in 1963. She was appointed to the chair upon the death of Mansel in 1975 and served until her retirement in 1983.

Jale İnan participated in the excavations in Side and Perge, which began in 1946 under the direction of Arif Müfid Mansel and for many years she served as vice president. She led the excavations in Side from 1973-80 and the excavations in Perge from 1975-87. Apart from the Side and Perge excavations she carried out a salvage excavation in the ancient site of Cremna in the Pisidia region between in 1970-72. From 1972-79 she conducted excavations in Pamphylian Seleucia north of Manavgat and uncovered the Agora of the city. She provided the scientific and experimental evidence that enabled the return of the upper part of the Heracles statue to Turkey. Despite all difficulties she completed the restoration of the Temple of Apollo in Side.

Jale İnan was elected as a full member of the Turkish Historical Society in 1975. She was a member of the German Archaeological Institute, Berlin Archaeological Society, Berlin Archaeological Institute and the Austrian Archaeological Institute. Her research on Roman sculptures occupies an important place in the world of science.