Burcu Yıldırım received her BA in Archaeology from the Department of Archaeology at Bilkent University and completed her MSc in Settlement Archaeology at Middle East Technical University. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Archaeology at Leiden University. As a NINO Visiting Research Fellow, she is conducting a study titled The Archaeology of Death and Burial in Asia Minor (6100–2700/2600 BC): A Focus on Subadult Intramural Burials.
Her research examines the social and political practices surrounding burials during the Chalcolithic period through the Early Bronze Age in Asia Minor, with particular emphasis on the on-site burial of infants and children. Burcu’s investigation provides insight into community dynamics, societal values, and belief systems related to death and burial practices during this period.
During her fellowship, Burcu collaborates closely with Prof. Dr. Bleda S. Düring to refine her research and methodological framework. She also engages with the Digital Archaeology Research Group at Leiden University to explore innovative digital approaches for analyzing and visualizing archaeological data. This fellowship not only boosts the theoretical side of her research but also creates opportunities for exciting collaborations, pushing the boundaries of archaeological studies on death and burial.
Since 1999, Burcu has participated in numerous archaeological projects. She has been a part of the Çadır Höyük Archaeological Project since 2012, where she co-directs excavations alongside Prof. Dr. Sharon R. Steadman. Among her significant contributions is the discovery and excavation of infant burials and Chalcolithic Western Compound in Çadır, which now form the basis of her doctoral research. She has published the results of these findings on various international academic platforms and continues to advance this research at Leiden University.
In addition to her excavation work, Burcu is actively involved in public archaeology initiatives, including the development of cultural heritage education programs for the local communities in Yozgat. She is also part of an international research team investigating climate change during the 4th millennium BCE and the current climate change and related agricultural practices in north-central Anatolia. Her long-term research interests focus on prehistoric belief systems, mortuary practices, and spatial analysis in the prehistoric Near East.