Compiling the Conceptual Framework of "Garden Archeology"; Functions, Techniques and Challenges

The garden has a social, aesthetic and artistic representational capacity, and is a mix of static and dynamic elements that protect, rebuild and revive with theoretical, practical and technical challenges. "Garden archeology" is considered to be a subclass of archeological activity, which, after the Second World War and especially in recent decades, has been the focus of attention on projects for the restoration of historical gardens in developed countries. The purpose of this research is to recognize and analyze: a) the historical streams of the garden archeology and the explanation of its future horizons; (b) the typology of methods and techniques; (c) the recognition of the functions and subsequent challenges; and, ultimately, the development of a conceptual framework of it in the experience of the restoration of historical gardens. For this purpose, a qualitative method based on the analysis, classification and critique of written and library data will be used and will result in a logical reasoning based on the inference approach. The conceptual model derived from three aspects, including "function", "method", and "challenge", and the results represent the movement of destructive methods in exploration to non-destructive techniques (remote sensing, aerial photography, and geophysical surveying). The archeological functions of the garden also include a variety of "restoration" to "interpretation," which reflects the attention to "anthropology" and interdisciplinary topics. The challenge of "authentication", "history", "data interpretation" and "specialization" can also be arranged in this context, due to "exploration methods" and "strands involved". Finally, suggestions for using garden archeology in the Iran, based on challenges and opportunities, have been recommended.