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Archaeological and restoration work at the Seljuk Cemetery in Ahlat, a historic town in eastern Türkiye’s Bitlis province, has revealed 22 new graves, including those of 8 children. These discoveries come as part of a broader heritage initiative led by Türkiye’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
Launched under the “Heritage for the Future” project, the ongoing efforts focus on preserving and rehabilitating the monumental Seljuk Cemetery, renowned as one of the largest Turkish-Islamic burial sites globally. The site, which spans 210,000 square meters, contains thousands of elaborately carved tombstones, each regarded as a unique work of art.
The latest phase of excavations began on June 11 under the supervision of Mehmet Kulaz from the Department of Art History at Van Yuzuncu Yil University. Conducted over a 1,200-square-meter section of the cemetery, the current work has uncovered 22 new graves that had been fully or partially buried. Alongside these discoveries, 51 tombstones were restored using techniques such as blocking, joining, and elevation adjustment.
According to Kulaz, “We elevated the level of the newly uncovered graves to reach their original position. Each tombstone is treated as a historical document, and our aim is to preserve them for future generations.”
Last year’s efforts covered approximately 56,000 square meters, or about 20% of the total site. This year’s plan focuses on an additional 19%, which will bring the cumulative restoration coverage to nearly half of the cemetery by the end of 2025.
Kulaz noted that the project, which spans from 2024 to 2027, is expected to reach full completion in the 2026 and 2027 seasons. Once finished, the entire cemetery will be opened to visitors and incorporated into Türkiye’s cultural tourism offering.
Beyond archaeological goals, the project contributes to the local economy by providing employment opportunities to both specialists and local residents. While the long-term objective is to make the site accessible to tourists, the primary mission remains the conservation of cultural heritage.
Kulaz emphasized the historical importance of the cemetery, describing each tombstone as a "title deed of Anatolia." He added, “We consider every gravestone a legacy of our ancestors. Our first priority is to ensure their preservation and transfer to the future.”
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