Excavations have begun to unearth the Mongols' summer palace in Van.

Academicians at the Turkology Application and Research Center of Izmir Katip Çelebi University and the Turkology Research Institute of Mongolian State University came across the ruins of a summer palace and settlement built by Ilkhanate Ruler Hulagu Khan between 1260 and 1265 during surface research in the Chaldiran Plain in recent years.

Turkish and Mongolian archaeologists, who began archaeological excavations in the region for the first time this year with the permission of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism's General Directorate of Cultural Heritage and Museums, found figured roof tiles and numerous ceramic pieces, examples of which were previously stated to be found only in Mongolia.

The 18-person expert team, which has intensified its work in the area where the settlement remains are located, aims to uncover the summer palace and city ruins built by the Ilkhanate Ruler Hulagu Khan through long-term excavations.

The historical ruins examined by Mongolian President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa during his visit to Van on January 18 caused excitement both in Mongolia and the region.

Excavation coordinator and Dean of the Faculty of Social and Human Sciences at Izmir Katip Çelebi University, Prof. Dr. Şaban Doğan, told an AA correspondent that they were not only facing palace ruins in the region but also a settlement.

Doğan, noting that historical sources indicate that Hulagu Khan built a palace in this region, said, "It was known in historical sources that Hulagu Khan built a palace in this region, but it hadn't been identified until now. So, we set out to find that palace. Our research in 2022 brought us here, and we encountered a magnificent sight. We found not only the ruins of a palace, but also the remains of many structures here. In fact, we are faced with a city, a settlement. What led us here was actually a literature review. Another factor was some of the objects we saw in the Van Museum. The objects in question completely pointed to the Ilkhanate period."

Doğan stated that they will bring the summer palace to light through long-term work, and noted the following:

Settlement studies are long-term endeavors, so it's very difficult to predict a precise timeframe. It's expected to take 8-10, perhaps 15 years. We're a joint team of Turkish and Mongolian scientists. Our work is supported by the presidencies and ministries of both countries. We're working with the same team not only here but also in Mongolia, and we've made significant discoveries there as well. There are very special and important works from the Ilkhanate period in Türkiye that reflect Seljuk architecture, but there's no work that directly reflects Ilkhanate architecture and steppe city structure. Therefore, we're currently at the westernmost tip of Ilkhanate architecture. It's the only example in Anatolia, and in this respect, it will provide very valuable data. Because we've also worked in Mongolia, we know the ruins of steppe cities. There are identical points. So, this is a specially selected area.

Mongolian Consul General in Istanbul, Ankhbayar Danuu, who took part in the surface research carried out in the region in 2023, stated that Ilkhanate Ruler Hulagu Khan decided to build a palace in this region while on his expedition from Iran to Syria in 1259, and that construction work began in the region between 1260 and 1265.

Emphasizing the geopolitical importance of the region, Danuu continued:

During years of Syrian operations, the Ilkhanate would come here, gather troops, and hold a congress. Later, they would go on a Syrian campaign, and upon their return, the war would be discussed here. The Ilkhanate would spend at least one summer here. We see that the region is geographically similar to Mongolia, and the Ilkhanate has a longing for Mongolia. Mongolia and Turkey are considered two brother countries, related communities. Therefore, the Orkhon Valley in Mongolia is an important location for Turkish tourism, and after excavations and reconstruction, this place (Çaldıran) will become a key destination for Mongolian tourists. We believe this could be a significant brick in the cultural bridge between the two countries.