Dr. Ali AKBABA gave a briefing about the studies covered by the anthropological analyses of skeletons within the scope of the Historical and Archaeological Surface Research Project for the Determination of the Battlefield of Malazgirt, its methodology and how the data obtained from these studies are used in demographic analyses, the history of Ancient DNA (aDNA) studies and the stages of the study. The students, who were impressed by the concrete examples of the “Battle of Malazgirt”, an event that took place in the early stages of Seljuk history, stated that they were pleased with this field study.
During the visit, which was also honored by the Vice Rector and Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences Prof. Dr. Talat KÖRPINAR, our Vice Rector received information about the laboratory from Dr. Ali AKBABA. While GESOM Director and Vice Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences Esra ÇIPLAK drew attention to the concrete sources of historical data, GESOM Vice Director and Head of the Chemistry Department Prof. Dr. Nevin TURAN ÖZEK stated that the finding of bone age was due to C14 isotope analysis. When asked which parts of the skeleton the DNA samples were taken from, the information was given that they were taken from the teeth and, in recent years, from the bones or connections in the ear. In the event attended by the Vice Dean of the Faculty of Islamic Sciences, Assistant Professor Şirin GÜL, Professor Şirin made contributions regarding Islamic burial traditions. During this visit, the students of the History Department got to know the science of Anthropology and asked questions about the Archaeology of the Battlefield of Malazgirt and the anthropological studies conducted within the scope of this project. Dr. Ali AKBABA thanked our Rector Prof. Dr. Mustafa ALİCAN for his efforts in the establishment and functioning of this laboratory and for his unwavering support.
After the event, which lasted approximately two hours, Professor Dr. Ali AKBABA was thanked and asked to explain these studies to the students and professors of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
