A great deal was achieved in 1998, results yet again producing a number of startling surprises that represent very significant advances in our knowledge and understanding of the Iron Age city, almost certainly Median Pteria. Budgetary constraints, however, restricted the ambitious scope originally intended.  

The Kerkenes Project has continued to utilize new technologies and develop their application to the study of ancient urban sites, reinforcing the contention that, at least at Kerkenes, modern "high tech" survey techniques can be far more informative than excavation (Fig. 1). Excavation does indeed have a place in the developing research design, but a place that is subservient to survey and non-intrusive remote sensing methods. 

The 1998 season has also highlighted the difficulties involved in combining teaching and provision of student opportunities with the academic goals of a research project. Kerkenes will not again have such a large international student participation unless there is a section of the project budget specifically awarded for the provision training and opportunities for student participation. 

In the sections that follow the major results and interim conclusions are presented. Much of the interpretation is tentative and will require revision as well as addition in future seasons. This report is intended to replace an annual, printed, interim report. Copyright rests with the Project Director and  is subject to the normal conventions for academic publication.