Archaeological excavations at the historic Battle of Manzikert battlefield (modern-day Malazgirt in Turkey), where the Seljuks defeated the Byzantine Empire in 1071, opening the gates of Anatolia, continue to reveal important discoveries. The project, which began in 2020 with support from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, is advancing into its second phase in 2024.
This year’s excavation activities are being carried out in the cemetery area located in the Afşin district in Malazgirt, a site that experts believe could have been the “Seljuk Headquarters” or the “Seljuk Martyrdom”, where the fallen warriors from the 1071 battle rest. This site holds significant importance not only for its archaeological value but also for its historical symbolism, as it is considered the epicenter of the Seljuk resistance against the Byzantine forces.
The team, led by Prof. Dr. Yunus Levent Ekinci, is using geophysical techniques to map underground structures, identifying anomalies that have led to the uncovering of grave coverings. These investigations are being conducted in collaboration with the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage and Museums and the Ahlat Museum.
Ekinci explained that the team is analyzing contrasts in physical parameters such as magnetization intensity, specific resistance, and the density of underground geological structures through surface measurements. With this method, Ekinci said, we interpret the geological images we obtain from underground. In the maps we create based on this interpretation, we identify color shades that correspond to anomalies that don’t match the geological structure of the terrain. Through these studies, we have successfully identified numerous grave coverings.
The team’s work has been crucial in uncovering tombs and structures believed to date back to the Seljuk period. The Project Coordinator, specialist archaeologist Oğuzhan Karaçetin, along with specialist archaeologist Muhammed Dolmuş, provided more detailed information about the recent findings.
Both noted that this year’s excavations have revealed significant finds, including tombs belonging to Seljuk warriors and remains of what may have been the headquarters during the battle.
Karaçetin and Dolmuş emphasized that this work not only has academic value but also plays a fundamental role in highlighting the historical and cultural values of the region, attracting the interest of both the scientific community and the general public.
This adds to the more than 700 objects found so far, including numerous arrowheads, fragments of swords and spears, and Roman gold and bronze coins.
The Battle of Manzikert marked a decisive moment in the history of Anatolia when Seljuk forces, led by Alp Arslan, defeated the Byzantine troops of Emperor Romanos IV Diogenes. This defeat significantly weakened the Byzantine Empire and facilitated Turkish expansion into Asia Minor.
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