Kırk Kardeşler Cemetery restoration to preserve Seljuk heritage

Restoration and archaeological work are underway at the Kırk Kardeşler Cemetery in the Battalgazi district of Malatya, Turkey. Spanning 112 decares, the site contains significant Seljuk heritage located along the historic Silk Road.

With approval from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the project aims to restore and uncover graves and tombstones dating from the 13th, 14th, and 15th centuries. The site features two mausoleums (kümbet) and various grave types, including framed, covered, and sarcophagus-style graves adorned with floral and geometric motifs.

Malatya Governor Seddar Yavuz noted that the cemetery is a vital historical site reflecting the Islamization and Turkification of Anatolia. Archaeologists have indicated that the site is contemporary with the Seljuk square cemetery in Ahlat, Bitlis.