Selcuk University stands out with its work that will shape Turkish archaeology. The excavations carried out under the leadership of Selcuk University in the ancient city of Savatra in Konya are bringing to light the cultural heritage of Konya and Anatolian history.
Significant findings have been uncovered in the excavations that began in 2021, led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ilker Işık, Head of the Department of Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Properties at Selçuk University's Faculty of Letters.
In 2022, an inscription was discovered that dates back to the early period of Turkish history before Islam, featuring the word "Türk" and written in Greek alphabet as "Türkoğlu."
The inscription, dating from the 9th to 11th centuries AD, serves as evidence of the Turkish presence in Anatolia before 1071. In 2023, a collective child grave dated to the 4th or 5th century AD, a victory wreath estimated to be 1,800 years old, altars with depictions of soldiers and banners, churches, and pit graves were uncovered. This year, new structures related to the churches and graves were also discovered.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Işık stated, "As the Department of Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Properties, we take pride in conducting the excavations of Konya's first ancient city. We are carrying out important work that can contribute to both Konya's cultural and tourism history and the archaeology history of our country as Selçuk University. Our university is a notable institution, especially within the Archaeology Department. Significant excavations have been conducted that can shape Turkish archaeology as a result of the research carried out by our esteemed faculty members. Our university has trained many important archaeologists."
