The former palace of a descendant of Genghis Khan discovered in Turkey?
In Turkey, archaeologists have found what they believe to be the remains of the ancient palace of Houlagou Khan, grandson of Genghis Khan and Mongol leader who died in 1265. If some elements support the theory, excavations must continue to identify the site.
Nearly 800 years ago, a descendant of Genghis Khan had a summer palace built in Çaldıran in eastern Turkey. But where was he exactly and what happened to him? This is the mystery that Turkish and Mongolian archaeologists are trying to unravel and they are currently exploring a solid lead in the province of Van.
Genghis Khan, founder of the Mongol Empire
According to historical sources, the palace was built between 1260 and 1265 by Hulagou Khan (also written Hülegü Khan), grandson of the founder of the Mongol Empire. Born around 1217, this leader is known to have led several military expeditions in the Middle East and participated in the siege of Baghdad in 1258 and the conquest of Syria in 1260.
He is also known for conquering Persia and founding the Ilkhanate there, one of the four territories that emerged from the division of the Mongol Empire, over which his successors ruled until its dissolution in the 14th century. The Van Museum in Turkey holds several objects believed to have served in the Houlagou summer palace.
It is in particular from these artefacts that the specialists began their research, they explained to the Anadolu agency. After examining them, they returned to the site of their discovery and unearthed the remains of an unknown caravanserai, a ceramic kiln as well as ceramics dating back to the Ilkhanid period.
Archaeological traces of the existence of a city
The ruins, still being excavated, appeared extensively looted. Several elements, compared to historical sources, have however suggested that they could have a link with Hulagou Khan and thus constitute the first archaeological traces known to date of the Ilkhanate founded in the 13th century.
“We have found a very important caravanserai,” confirmed Professor Ersel Çağlıtütuncigil, archaeologist from Izmir Katip Çelebi University who is leading the excavations, reported by the Daily Sabah. “There are several remains of buildings that indicate the existence of a city there. Research shows that the city was founded east of the caravanserai.”
In addition, “we discovered many potteries in the area of the city. Similar examples of these ceramics can only be observed in Karakorum (an ancient city of the Mongol Empire, editor’s note). These data clearly show that there is an Ilkhanate structure in Anatolia,” he added.
In addition to the ceramics, the excavations revealed tiles, some of which reveal symbols in the shape of “s” of the swastika type which constituted “one of the symbols of power of the Mongolian khans”, specified to Live Science Munkhtulga Rinchinkhorol, archaeologist of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences which participates in the project.
A theory to be confirmed with other clues
These elements were added to the inventory supporting the theory according to which the summer palace of Houlagou Khan and its city was well in this place. However, excavations must be continued to unearth other potential clues and confirm this with certainty, the archaeologists stressed.
Historical sources mention in particular a church that the leader would have built for his wife, Doqouz Khatoun. “This church may be here as well,” Professor Çağlıtütuncigil argued. “There are many structures that we have not yet understood,” he said.
Interviewed by Live Science, several specialists judged that the Turkish-Mongolian team could be right but that more research was needed to find out more. This region was once an important territory for the Mongols, as several historical sources support.
“So we shouldn’t be surprised to find ruins of caravanserais and Ilkanid villages, possibly even palaces, in the area,” said Michael Hope, an Asian historian at Yonsei University in Korea. “It remains to be seen whether it is Hülegü Palace. I certainly wouldn’t rule it out, but I’m eagerly awaiting more information.”
