Kars: Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy announced the discovery of an ornate stone bearing the name of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) six times in Kufic script at the Seljuk cemetery in the archaeological site of Ani in Kars province, eastern Turkey. This revelation was made during ongoing excavations at Ani, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
According to National Iraqi News Agency, the Turkish minister revealed the artifact on his social media account, coinciding with the celebration of the Prophet’s birthday. Ersoy emphasized the significance of the discovery, noting that it was found at Ani, the site of Sultan Alp Arslan’s 1064 victory, which marked the beginning of Turkish-Islamic history in Anatolia. The stone, discovered in the Seljuk cemetery, features the Prophet’s name three times within a band of text around an eight-pointed star motif, symbolizing the deep veneration held by ancestors.
The decorated stone, measuring 51 centimeters in length and 21 centimeters in width, was unveiled by the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism as an important archaeological document. The stone, believed to be part of a Seljuk tomb, is considered a testament to the Turkish-Islamic identity of Ani and reflects the prevailing beliefs and cemetery culture of the era. Although the name of the Prophet Muhammad appears six times, only three are currently visible due to the artifact being incomplete.
Ani, known as the gateway for Turks into Anatolia post its conquest by Sultan Alp Arslan in 1064, holds historical significance as the site of the first Turkish-Islamic cemetery and a mosque built after the conquest. The region, home to over 23 civilizations, including Scythians, Persians, Sassanids, and Seljuks, has a rich history, having been under various rules until its final conquest by the Seljuks in 1064.
In July 2016, Ani was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The ruins, known by epithets such as “City of the World” and “Cradle of Civilizations,” attract numerous visitors annually, eager to explore its historical and cultural legacy.