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Malazgirt excavations uncover about 380 arrowheads and 1,000 metal objects
The seventh season of the Project for the Identification, History and Archaeological Survey of the Malazgirt Battlefield is continuing, with excavations uncovering about 380 arrowheads and nearly 1,000 metal objects. Forty-two graves were opened during the work, and silver coins from the Seljuk period as well as Byzantine coins were identified.
The Project for the Identification, History and Archaeological Survey of the Malazgirt Battlefield is continuing into its seventh season with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism's General Directorate of Cultural Heritage and Museums and in cooperation with the Ahlat Museum Directorate and Muş Alparslan University.
Excavations within the project, which began in 2020, are being conducted under the scientific supervision of Prof. Dr. Adnan Çevik, a faculty member in the Department of History at Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University. An expert team of archaeologists, anthropologists, art historians and historians from various universities is taking part in the work in Muş.
About 1,000 metal objects found on the battlefield
Forty-two graves have been opened during work carried out at various locations in Malazgirt since June 1. In the excavations and surveys, nearly 1,000 metal objects were identified, including about 380 arrowheads believed to be associated with the battle, as well as horseshoes, horseshoe nails, various weapon parts and coins.
Test excavations are being conducted across an area of approximately 150 square kilometers, alongside archaeological excavations related to human casualties. Forty-two graves were opened in the Afşin cemetery, bringing the total number of graves uncovered over the past three years close to 100.
Grave samples sent for radiocarbon dating
Graves opened previously were dated to the 11th and 12th centuries. Samples taken from the most recently opened graves were sent to TÜBİTAK for radiocarbon dating, and the work is planned to continue in line with the results.
Prof. Dr. Çevik said the work focuses on weapons and other metal objects used in the battle, as well as human casualties. Analyses are being conducted on bones from human remains to the extent possible, while the metal finds are being identified, cleaned, restored, preserved and documented.
Finds are being catalogued in the laboratory
Objects brought to the laboratory at the Malazgirt Battlefield Archaeology Excavation House are cleaned, catalogued by specialists and entered into a database. Restoration and conservation work is carried out on artifacts deemed necessary, while field surveys and laboratory procedures proceed simultaneously.
About 380 arrowheads and nearly 1,000 metal objects were identified during the 2026 work. The finds include horseshoes, horseshoe nails, various weapon parts and coins.
In the project's seventh year, silver coins from the Seljuk period were found for the first time, while Byzantine coins continue to be uncovered. The work is not limited to the battlefield; excavations are also continuing in Malazgirt's fortress city, and researchers are examining the relationship between the finds uncovered at the two sites.
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