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