Discovery Sheds Light on History in Konya! The First Turkish Inscription in Anatolia

An inscription belonging to the early pre-Islamic period Turkish history, containing the phrase Turkish, was found for the first time at the Savatra Ancient City excavation site in Konya. The head of the excavation, Assoc. Prof. İlker Işık said that “the inscription is "evidence of the Turkish presence in Anatolia before 1071".”

During the excavations carried out by Selcuk University, under the leadership of Assoc. Prof. İlker Işık, an inscription was found that will shed light on Turkish history, in the Savatra Ancient City in Yağlibayat Neighborhood of Karatay district. The head of the excavation, Assoc. Dr. Işık stated that “the inclusion of the Turkish name in the inscription is extremely important.”

Belongs to Pre-Islamic Turks

Işık stated that ““It was brought from a castle belonging to the Ancient City of Savatra. This castle was being used until the Byzantine period. When we look at the architectural part, it is the Byzantine period templon pier. This is an architectural element found in religious buildings. In terms of periods, we think that it coincides with the 10th and 11th centuries AD. It also appears as an article that belongs to pre-Islamic Turks. When we consider it periodically, we can say that it is the Byzantine period.

Garrison Area

This region is a kind of garrison area. Bozdağ National Park is a north-south oriented field that continues from Altınekin district to the borders of Karatay. We conducted a survey here for 6 years. This is an important area in terms of having strategically important roads and military headquarters.”

“TÜRKOĞLU”

Assoc. Prof. Işık said that “on the inscription it is written as "Turkopol" in the runic alphabet. Türkopol means “Türkoğlu” (son of Turkish) in English. This is the first inscription found in this way in Anatolia. In terms of its importance, we can say that this is evidence which shows the existence of Christianized Turks here in the pre-Islamic period before the sanjak phase were brought here by Turks. It is an important indicator proving the presence of Turkish soldiers in the legion units in the Byzantine armies here.”

'WE HAVE FOUND A PRAYER AND HEALING TEXT'

Deepening the work in the region, the team also encountered 2 runic inscriptions. Işık said that “We think that these articles are prayer and healing texts. In order to advance these studies, it is necessary to develop studies in the epigraphic sense first. In terms of Turcology, it is very important for us that scientists who are advanced in this field take part in such studies.”