Amida Hoyuk excavations in Diyarbakir unearth rare Gallipoli War badge

A rare Gallipoli Battle badge has been uncovered during ongoing excavations at Amida Hoyuk, an ancient mound in Diyarbakir, located in southeastern Türkiye. The discovery adds to the growing list of significant archaeological finds at the site, which has been continuously inhabited by numerous ancient civilizations, from the Hurri-Mitanni to the Ottoman Empire.

Excavations led by Professor Irfan Yildiz

Since 2018, under the leadership of Professor Irfan Yildiz, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Design at Dicle University, excavations at Amida Hoyuk have revealed a wealth of historical artifacts.

These include 1,800-year-old water channels, 1,700-year-old burial chambers, and World War I relics, including 782 hand grenades. The team is currently focusing on the Artukid Palace’s eastern reception hall, as well as the area between the saraykapi and the King’s Road.

Gallipoli badge: Rare find

Professor Yildiz explained that the Gallipoli Battle badge, which was awarded to soldiers who fought or sacrificed their lives in the Gallipoli Campaign of World War I, is an incredibly rare artifact. “Original badges like this are seldom found; most of them are replicas. The discovery of this original badge at Amida Hoyuk is crucial, especially since it represents the Ottoman period and the Gallipoli Battle,” he stated.

The badge measures 4.2 centimeters in length, 2.7 centimeters in width, and weighs 6 grams. The front of the badge depicts two Ottoman soldiers, armed and with backpacks, standing guard over the Dardanelles, with a crescent and star flag in the sky. Below, the words “Gallipoli War Souvenir” are inscribed in Ottoman Turkish. The badge also marks two key dates: the enemy’s first assault on October 21, 1914, and their departure from Gallipoli on January 3, 1916.

Historical significance of Gallipoli badge

Professor Yildiz emphasized the importance of this badge, not only as a rare find but also as a testament to Diyarbakir’s role in the Gallipoli Campaign. “This badge most likely belonged to a veteran of the Gallipoli Campaign who returned to Diyarbakir after the battle,” he added. “It was probably dropped in the area of Amida Hoyuk, which highlights the city’s significant contribution to the Gallipoli Campaign and its role in Türkiye’s independence struggle.”

The discovery is also notable because it was found in proximity to other significant artifacts, including World War I-era hand grenades. These findings offer insight into the region’s wartime history and reinforce the historical continuity of the area, which has seen a rich succession of civilizations spanning thousands of years.

Link to Türkiye’s Gallipoli history

The Gallipoli Battle badge serves as an important reminder of the sacrifices made during one of the most defining moments in Türkiye’s history.

As excavations continue at Amida Hoyuk, this rare badge adds another layer to the rich historical narrative of the region and its pivotal role in the struggles that shaped modern Türkiye.