The Project To Search For Sultan Alparslan's Tomb And Construct A Mausoleum Has Been Started In Turkmenistan

The committee which has been officially assigned within the scope of the protocol to search for Sultan Alparslan’s Tomb and construct a mausoleum , to make site surveys and meet with Turkmenistan authorities about the project, has gone to Ashkabat and Merv through the contribution of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency Directorate, and completed its work. The first stage of the project, which has been planned by experts in 5 stages, will be starting as soon as possible with geophysical examinations and topographic mapping.

The first statement was made by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan concerning the search for Sultan Alparslan’s tomb and construction of a mausoleum, a project that has been on the agenda between Turkey and Turkmenistan for quite some time but unable to make any progress, on March 19, 2013. During Türkmenistan President Gurbanguli Berdimuhamedov’s visit to Ankara on February 29, 2012, he had personally expressed his request to President of the Republic Abdullah Gül that the work on this matter be conducted directly by TİKA on behalf of Turkey. As a result of these discussions the good news was disclosed that a protocol would be signed with Turkmenistan to start the work as soon as possible.

The protocol was signed during President of the Republic Abdullah Gül’s official visit to Turkmenistan on May 29-31, 2013, in the presence of Turkmenistan President Gurbanguli Berdimuhamedov between TİKA Chairman Dr. Serdar Çam and Council of Ministers Assistant Chairman Sapardurdı Toyliyev, on behalf of the Turkmenistan government in Ashkabat. The official committee which was assigned to examine the site and conduct meetings with the Turkmenistan side about the project within the scope of the protocol to search for Sultan Alparslan’s tomb and build a mausoleum, has gone to Ashkabat and Merv and completed the preparation work.

The committee, which developed a positive opinion on the situation as a result of the inspections and contacts made at the historical ancient city of Merv site within the capital city Ashkabat and Merv province limits, prepared a draft program consisting of the work that will be done within the scope of the protocol spread over the next four years. The field studies have been planned to include archaeological excavations/drilling activities at specified coordinates based on decisions made concerning underground anomalies determined through geophysical methods to locate Sultan Alparslan’s tomb, most likely in the ancient city of Merv area. All of the work conducted by the committee within this context, especially in the area where Sultan Alparslan’s tomb will be searched for, a modern example of preservation will be implemented. All of the pieces that are found will be excavated intact and immediately placed under protection.

In order to exchange the impressions and data collected by the Turkish experts throughout their travels and the existing data kept by the Turkmen side, a meeting was held between the committees to discuss previous studies, information and documents on the subject project. The areas that have been determined for archeological digs in light of the latest information and studies were discussed. The geophysical studies and topographic mapping work included in the first stage of the project which has been planned to be 5 stages by the experts, is planned to start as soon as possible.