10.09.2025 20:30
Excavation work carried out at the historic Palu Castle in Elazığ has uncovered a four-room garrison from the Ottoman period. The excavations also revealed stone cannonballs, iron swords, and pottery belonging to Ottoman soldiers. The scientific advisor for the project, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Harun Danışmaz from Munzur University, stated that there are five separate structural layers beneath the building, and that the lowest layer contains the foundation walls from the Urartian period.
In the historic district of Palu in Elazığ, excavation works supported by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Governorship of Elazığ, and the District Governorship of Palu have uncovered a four-room Ottoman-era garrison at the summit of Palu Castle.
FOUR-ROOM OTTOMAN-ERA GARRISON UNCOVERED AT THE SUMMIT OF PALU CASTLE Elazığ Governor Numan Hatipoğlu stated that significant findings have been obtained in the excavations, which began in mid-May, aiming to reveal scientific findings and enhance visitor experience. He noted that a command center, believed to be from the Ottoman period, has been uncovered from the summit of the castle. The scientific advisor of the excavations, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Harun Danışmaz from Munzur University, expressed that, in addition to the four-room Ottoman garrison, partially standing structural remains were also found on the northern facade. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Danışmaz stated, "At first glance, the structure appears to belong to the Ottoman period, but detailed examinations revealed five separate structural layers beneath it. In the lowest layer, Urartian period wall foundations and original stones related to the establishment of the castle were found."
STONE BULLETS, IRON SWORDS, PIPE FRAGMENTS... In the excavations, stone bullets belonging to Ottoman soldiers, iron swords, pipe fragments, and numerous pottery finds were also uncovered. Additionally, traces of life such as tandoors and cisterns were observed in the structures.
"A COMMAND CENTER BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN USED IN THE OTTOMAN PERIOD HAS EMERGED" Governor Numan Hatipoğlu stated that significant findings have emerged in the excavations in the city, which are important for future heritage. "In the past weeks, I visited the ongoing excavations in our province at Palu Castle. During this visit, we received information that significant findings were detected. Palu Castle was one of the points of great historical importance in the region. As of now, our excavations will be transformed into continuous excavation. We, as the Provincial Special Administration, will continue to provide the necessary support. Very important findings from various periods are emerging here. Most recently, coins from the Byzantine and Ottoman periods have been found. Additionally, a command center believed to have been used in the Ottoman period has emerged at the summit of the castle. The excavations are ongoing," he stated.
"WE ENCOUNTERED A FOUR-ROOM OTTOMAN-ERA GARRISON IN OUR WORKS HERE" Assoc. Prof. Dr. Harun Danışmaz stated that they have identified a four-room garrison, wide corridors, and structural layers from different periods in the excavations conducted at the summit of the castle. "We started the excavation works at Palu Castle in mid-May. We are conducting the excavation works in two separate directions. Our first goal is to enhance the experiences of visitors coming to the castle. For this purpose, we are carrying out cleaning works in the inscription area and rock tombs. Secondly, we are conducting scientific studies. The first area we struck the pickaxe was this area. The summit of the castle. In our works here, we encountered a four-room Ottoman-era garrison. Here we see 4 rooms and a corridor 4 meters long. On the northern facade, we found some structural remains that are partially open. Among these structures, at first glance, we can see a single period here. However, when we look more closely, we can see remnants of five separate structural layers in some places. Especially the tandoors inside the structures indicate that there was life here. In other words, it shows that there were structures related to living," he said.
"FIVE DIFFERENT STRUCTURAL LAYERS INCLUDING THE OTTOMAN PERIOD WERE ENCOUNTERED" Danışmaz noted that the work in the area has been completed and that they will start the work to protect the walls. "Again, in the northeastern corner, in the cistern located in the northeastern corner of that fourth room, and in the thick walls found in the northwestern part, there are traces belonging to the early periods of this structure. The Ottoman structure is, of course, the latest structural layer. Currently, the structure that has been completely uncovered. However, we see that there are four separate structural phases beneath it. At the bottom, we see the remnants of the Urartian period related to the establishment of the castle at the foundation level, wall foundation beds, which we see on the northern facade. We can also see some original stones from that period on the wall foundation beds. When we look at the findings from the Ottoman period here, when we look at the findings belonging to the garrison, we can see stone bullets, iron swords, and a large number of pipe fragments belonging to soldiers, as well as a large quantity of pottery remnants from this period. Since this forms the summit of the castle, over time, due to natural conditions, we can understand that the adobe structure on this stone foundation has collapsed, especially on the steep northern slope of the castle. When we first arrived here, it was a completely flat area. We have concluded our work in the excavations here. Now we will move on to the protection phase. In other words, we will strive to protect these walls. For this purpose, we will carry out protection works," he stated.