Once upon a time in Anatolia: a photo exhibition from archaeologist John Garstang

A Kurdish family photographed by John Garstang as his expedition passed through Kilis Province. Courtesy The Garstang Museum of Archaeology, University of Liverpool

A sphinxes gate at Alaca Höyük. Courtesy The Garstang Museum of Archaeology, University of Liverpool

John Garstang. Courtesy The Garstang Museum of Archaeology, University of Liverpool

A group at the Sakçagözü excavation site. Courtesy The Garstang Museum of Archaeology, University of Liverpool

An excavation site in Sakçagözü, with Garstang supervising. Courtesy The Garstang Museum of Archaeology, University of Liverpool

An image of a young man. Courtesy The Garstang Museum of Archaeology, University of Liverpool

Traditional houses in Ankara. Courtesy The Garstang Museum of Archaeology, University of Liverpool

Garstang, right, with two members having a picnic meal. Courtesy The Garstang Museum of Archaeology, University of Liverpool

The palace gateway sculptured reliefs and the sphinx column-base. Courtesy The Garstang Museum of Archaeology, University of Liverpool

John Garstang was a pioneer in using photography to record archaeological excavations. The British archaeologist travelled across Anatolia and northern Syria in 1907 and was the first to document the full extent of the Hittite empire. The Hittites were a major civilisation and reached their peak during the 14th century BC, controlling much of Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). The images Garstang took are now on display in Istanbul and include photographs of local sites, records of archaeological digs and portraits. Some were staged for his sponsors back in Britain. One shows Garstang posing outside a tent with a teapot and a saddle, while others are more realistic, showing him supervising work.

• John Garstang's Footsteps Across Anatolia runs at the Research Centre for Anatolian Civilisations, Istanbul, until December 20. For more information visit https://rcac.ku.edu.tr/tr