The Ahlat Seljuk Cemetery, with its history dating back from the 12th to the 16th centuries, is one of the most important open-air museums in Anatolia. Spread over an area of 210 acres, the cemetery resembles a history book with its over 8,000 tombstones. These stones showcase the artistic understanding and lifestyle of the Seljuk Turks, who played a significant role in the Turkification and Islamization of Anatolia.
History of the Cemetery:
Ahlat came under the rule of the Seljuks in the 11th century. As the region became an important center of trade and culture, cemetery areas began to emerge in Ahlat as well. With Ahlat becoming the capital of the Ahlatshahs in the 12th century, the cemetery expanded and was organized more carefully.
The Language of Tombstones
The most striking feature of the Ahlat Seljuk Cemetery is the diversity of its tombstones. These stones range from simple chest forms to monumental tombs. Each tombstone provides information about the deceased’s social status, profession, and family status. The motifs and reliefs on the stones also reflect the richness and aesthetic understanding of Seljuk art.
The Orkhon Monuments of Anatolia
The tombstones in the Ahlat Seljuk Cemetery stand out as some of the oldest Turkish texts found in Anatolia after the Orkhon Monuments. These stones are of great importance not only from a historical point of view, but also from a linguistic and cultural heritage perspective.
In the Footsteps of Oghuz Turkish
The texts on the tombstones allow us to follow the transformation and development of the Oghuz Turkish language in Anatolia. The language used on the stones reflects the dialect and language characteristics of the Oghuz Turks who migrated to Anatolia. This allows us to understand how the Oghuz Turkish language changed over time and how it influenced other Turkish dialects in Anatolia.
Traces of Seljuk Culture
The tombstones provide important information not only about language but also about Seljuk culture. The motifs, figures, and reliefs on the stones reflect the Seljuks’ artistic understanding and aesthetic sense. They also bear traces of the new cultural elements brought to Anatolia by the Seljuks.
UNESCO World Heritage Candidate:
Ahlat Seljuk Cemetery was included in the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List in 2016. This indicates that the cemetery is an important cultural heritage not only for Turkey but also for the world. To be included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, a candidate must have outstanding universal value and meet certain criteria.
Important reasons for Ahlat Seljuk Cemetery to be included in the UNESCO World Heritage List:
- Historical and Cultural Importance: The cemetery, with its history dating back from the 12th to the 16th centuries, is a unique resource for learning about the history and culture of the Seljuk Turks, who played a significant role in the Turkification and Islamization of Anatolia.
- Artistic Value: The tombstones exhibit the finest examples of Seljuk stonework. The motifs, figures, and reliefs on the stones reflect the Seljuks’ artistic understanding and aesthetic sense.
- Unique Example: Ahlat Seljuk Cemetery is the only cemetery in Anatolia and in the world that covers such a large area and contains such a large number of tombstones.
- Integrity and Originality: The cemetery has been preserved in its original state and is intact.
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