Battle of Manzikert’s traces unveiled with discovered arrowheads in Türkiye

Numerous arrowheads bearing battle marks from the historic Battle of Manzikert (Malazgirt) have been unearthed during excavations at the Malazgirt Historical Muslim Cemetery, Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy announced Monday.

Minister Ersoy shared on his social media account that findings reflecting the deep-rooted history of the Battle of Manzikert continue to emerge. He emphasized that the excavations, led by the Ahlat Museum Directorate, have revealed a wealth of arrowheads bearing the scars of the battle at the Malazgirt Historical Muslim Cemetery.

“These valuable discoveries from our excavations bring to light the traces of the Battle of Manzikert, shedding light on our rich past,” said Ersoy.

According to a statement from the ministry, the project, which began in 2020 with the participation of nearly 40 academics from 12 universities, aims to rediscover the region’s historical significance. The 2024 excavation efforts have yielded significant findings at strategic sites such as the Afshin Cemetery, the Malazgirt Historical Muslim Cemetery, and Gunbeli Village in Patnos, Agri.

Notably, graves dated to the time of the Battle of Manzikert and artifacts bearing battle marks illuminate previously unknown aspects of history.

Afshin Cemetery: Battle of Manzikert’s traces

In the Afshin Cemetery excavations, graves dating back to the 11th century and believed to be connected to the Battle of Manzikert have been uncovered.

“As of 2024, a total of 51 graves have been unearthed, with some containing remains of seven individuals within monumental structures,” the statement said.

Malazgirt Historical Muslim Cemetery

The excavations that began in 2024 at the Malazgirt Historical Muslim Cemetery in the town center and known as the region’s largest Turkish-Islamic cemetery have uncovered significant artifacts bearing battle marks.

“During the work in graves that draw attention with their stone craftsmanship and are aligned with Islamic burial traditions, Byzantine coins, arrowheads, and metal objects were found. These findings provide evidence that this area was a conflict zone during the Battle of Manzikert,” the statement added.

Gunbeli excavations

The excavations in Gunbeli Village, Patnos district of Agri, also unveiled traces of the Battle of Manzikert.

Following the discovery of the IV Romanos Diogenes stamp seal and gold coins handed over to the Ahlat Museum Directorate in 2023, the 2024 excavations unearthed a second stamp seal belonging to the same emperor, bronze coins, arrowheads, and spears. These findings suggest that Günbeli Village was also a significant conflict site during the battle.

The recent excavations at Malazgirt Historical Muslim Cemetery, Afshin Cemetery, and Günbeli Village have provided crucial insights into the Battle of Manzikert. These discoveries not only shed light on Türkiye’s historical past but also reaffirm the strategic importance of these sites during the battle.