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In the Mazgirt district of Tunceli, eastern Türkiye, centuries-old gravestones have been rescued thanks to a villager’s keen awareness. The stones, estimated to be around 700 years old, were identified in Ibimahmut village and taken under protection by museum officials.
Resident Ali Can Erdogan noticed several fragmented gravestones scattered around his village.
Acting on his own initiative, he gathered and safeguarded them in his garden before notifying the Tunceli Museum Directorate to ensure their protection.
Following Erdogan’s report, Tunceli’s Provincial Director of Culture and Tourism Ismail Kaya, Museum Director Kenan Oncel, and archaeologist Ozgur Sahin examined the findings on-site.
Their analysis revealed that the gravestones reflected architectural, decorative, and script characteristics dating back about seven centuries, representing different historical periods.
After the assessment, 22 gravestones were transported by a vehicle belonging to the Provincial Special Administration to the Tunceli Museum. The artifacts, which bear traces of various civilizations, will undergo restoration before being exhibited to the public.
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