A PIECE OF MANZIKERT’S HISTORY: THE 2023 AFŞİN ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY

The Detection, History and Archaeological Survey of the Manzikert Battlefield is one of the most extensive projects that has been done in the field of war archeology in Türkiye. The project’s fundamental objectives include revealing the historical identity of the city of Manzikert through concrete archeological data and understanding the multi-level cultural structure of the region throughout history, in addition to determining the geographical borders of the battlefield through scientific methods. In this framework, the first intensive field survey was conducted in the region in 2023, after skeletal remains dating to the 11th century surfaced in the Afşin neighborhood of the Manzikert district. Field surveys uncovered evidence of temporary settlements from different periods, found in caves, cemeteries, architectural remnants, and foundations. These recorded findings indicate that Manzikert was not only important in the context of the war fought in the 11th century, but it also held significance as a key settlement site throughout history.