07.01.2026 18:35
In the village of Küçükanafarta in the Eceabat district of Çanakkale, discoveries have emerged in the exploratory studies that will mark Turkish history. The graves of the first Turks, known as the akıncılar, who crossed into Rumelia have been identified in the region.
During the work initiated at the Historical Turkish Cemetery of Küçükanafarta village, located in the Eceabat district of Çanakkale, 8,731 graves were found over an area of 100 acres, resembling the burial tradition of Central Asian Turks.
THE CEMETERY OF THE FIRST TURKISH AKINCIS WHO CROSSED TO RUMELI HAS BEEN REVEALED Ismail Kaşdemir, the Chairman of the Gallipoli Historical Area, told reporters in Küçükanafarta village that they have opened a new page in Turkish history at the Historical Turkish Cemetery of Küçükanafarta in the Çanakkale Historical Area, where the graves of the first Turks, namely the akincis, who crossed to Rumeli, have been identified among the 8,731 graves that emerged in this historical cemetery.
"THE TITLE DEED OF THE TURKISH NATION" Emphasizing that graves that will be considered as the seal of the Turkish nation have emerged in this historical cemetery, Kaşdemir stated, "Graves similar to those in the Turkish-Islamic geography have been made here. The Historical Turkish Cemetery of Küçükanafarta is as significant for the Turkish presence in Rumeli, the Balkans, and Europe as the Ahlat cemetery is for the Turkish presence in Anatolia."
Kaşdemir, who stated that they started working after identifying this cemetery as the Historical Area Presidency, said, "We received information, documents, and opinions from art historians, historians, and our universities. We determined that this cemetery belongs to the first Turks who crossed to Rumeli in the 1300s. We are very excited. The gravestones, which are the seal of the Turkish nation and serve as the title deed of the Turkish nation, are very important to us. We have completed three-quarters of our work in the 100-acre area we have done so far. We will soon restore and complete the Turkish cemetery."
"A HISTORICAL TURKISH CEMETERY SIMILAR TO THE AHLAT CEMETERY IS EMERGING" Kaşdemir pointed out that when the work is completed, this cemetery will be an important visitation point, stating, "Our martyrs in the Historical Area are well known to all of us. The emergence of the Turkish presence from the 1300s will also be significant as a historical document. As the Historical Area Presidency, we continue to protect our history. We treat each grave here as our most precious possession. When this place is completed, a cemetery similar to Ahlat will emerge in the Thracian lands of the Turkish homeland."
Providing information about the ongoing works, Kaşdemir said, "As the Historical Area Presidency, we have entered into a very special and meticulous study. We consulted with historians who are considered authorities of the period and obtained reports. We conducted analyses and carbon tests on the gravestones. Art historians examined the grave forms here. It has been revealed that the grave forms here resemble those in the Turkish-Islamic geography. The high gravestones here rise like balbal stones and are of great importance to us. A historical Turkish cemetery similar to the Ahlat cemetery is emerging in the Çanakkale Historical Area."
Describing one of the oldest graves in the Historical Turkish Cemetery of Küçükanafarta, which they believe to be and from which they took samples, Kaşdemir noted: "Its height is about 3-4 meters, and there is a depth of nearly 2 meters underground. Therefore, we conducted a completely scientific study on this grave and deemed it appropriate to make this statement afterward. Both carbon tests and the burial form of the cemetery, as well as its historical aspect.