Uluslararası Güncel Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi

Öz

The Royal Necropolis of Sidon, excavated in the late 19th century under the direction of Osman Hamdi Bey and Yervant Voskan, is among the most significant archaeological discoveries in the eastern Mediterranean. The richly adorned Alexander, Lycian, and Sarcophagus of the Mourning Women have become defining examples of Phoenician funerary art, and their transportation to Istanbul played a central role in shaping the institutional development of Ottoman museology. However, within this celebrated ensemble lies a notable absence: a plain, undecorated sarcophagus uncovered in the same archaeological context but excluded from the selection transported to the capital. This study examines the sarcophagus not merely as a “secondary” object, but as a key example for understanding broader processes of archaeological selection, curatorial decision-making, and the shaping of institutional narratives. Drawing on archival documents, excavation reports, and contemporary scholarship, the research applies digital archaeology methods, including AI-assisted reconstruction, to generate a theoretical visualization of the object. Rather than serving solely as a technical substitute, this digital approach facilitates deeper reflection on the ethical and ideological dimensions of archaeological representation. In doing so, the study illustrates how digital heritage practices can reframe the visibility and interpretation of modest artifacts, contributing to more inclusive, critical, and balanced representations within the wider field of cultural heritage discourse.