Vast 14th-Century Turkish Cemetery
Unearthed on Gallipoli Peninsula

Istanbul, 8 Jan 2026 (ONA) — Archaeologists
have uncovered a vast historic cemetery on the Gallipoli Peninsula, a discovery
experts describe as a major milestone shedding new light on the earliest
Turkish presence in southeastern Europe. The site is believed to date back to
the 14th century.

The find was made by the Gallipoli
Historical Site Directorate during restoration and survey work at the
Küçükanafarta Historic Turkish Cemetery in Çanakkale’s Eceabat district.
Researchers have identified a total of 8,731 graves spread across a 100-decare
area.

Officials state the burial forms
strongly resemble Central Asian Turkish traditions, leading them to believe the
cemetery belonged to the first Turkish raiders who crossed from Anatolia into
the region in the 1300s.

This discovery opens a new chapter.
These graves represent the seal of the Turkish nation and document an early and
permanent Turkish presence in these lands. Experts note the burial styles
closely match Turkish-Islamic traditions seen across Anatolia and Central Asia,
assigning the site symbolic importance comparable to the historic Ahlat
Cemetery in eastern Türkiye.

Following the initial identification,
officials consulted with historians, art historians, and universities. Carbon
dating and structural analysis of the gravestones subsequently confirmed the
14th-century origin.

Distinctive features include
gravestones rising several meters above ground, resembling “balbal” stones
characteristic of early Turkic burial culture. One of the oldest sampled graves
measures approximately four meters in height, with nearly two meters extending
underground.

With about three-quarters of the
work completed, restoration efforts are slated for finalization soon to
preserve the cemetery and prepare it for visitors. Once open, the site is
expected to become a significant historical destination alongside the
peninsula’s other well-known landmarks.

— Ends/Khalid