The Tombstones of Ahlat the Urartian and Ottoman citadel

Drawing of a tombstone in Ahlat

The Tombstones of Ahlat in Turkey are famous for their dimenison and design.

Ahlat is a ilçe (district) center in Bitlis Province at the Lake Van shore. The tombstones are in and around the citadel of Ahlat at about 38°45′N 42°30′E / 38.750°N 42.500°E / 38.750; 42.500.^[1]

The history of the city dates back to 900 BC, the Urartu era. ^[2]But the tombstones are from the medieval age. Although the tombstones are known as Seljukid era, according to the governorship of Ahlat the tombstones belong to the era of the Shah-Armens, Ayyubid dynasty era, the Mongol era and the Safavid era.^[3] These periods correspond to 12th-15th centuries.The most important tombstones are in the cemeteries known as Harabe şehir cemetery, Taht'ı Suleyman cemetery, Kırklar cemetery, Kale cemetery, Merkez cemetery, Meydanlık cemetery. Among these, only the Kale cemetery has Ottoman tombs.^[4]

World Heritage Status

This site was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List on February 25, 2000 in the Cultural category.^[2]

References

UNESCO Tentative list of World Heritage Sites in Turkey

Aegean	Aizanoi antique city Archaeological Site of Aphrodisias Birgi Mausolem and Sacred area of Hecatomnus Archaeological site of Laodikeia Medieval City of Beçin The Ancient City of Sardis and the Lydian Tumuli of Bin Tepe Ancient City of Stratonikeia

Black Sea	Mount Harşena and the Rock-tombs of the Pontic Kings Mahmut Bey Mosque Sümela Monastery (The Monastery of Virgin Mary)

Central Anatolia	Archaeological site of Kültepe-Kaneş Eflatun Pınar Eşrefoğlu Mosque Gordion Haji Bektash Veli Complex Historical Monuments of Niğde Konya-A capital of Seljuk Civilization Lake Tuz SEPA Mountainous Phrygia Odunpazarı historical urban site Tomb of Ahi Evren

East Anatolia	Akdamar Island Archaeological Site of Arslantepe Eshab-ı Kehf Kulliye Ishak Pasha Palace The Tombstones of Ahlat the Urartian and Ottoman citadel

Marmara	Çanakkale (Dardanelles) and Gelibolu (Gallipoli) Battles Zones in the First World War İznik Historic Guild Town of Mudurnu The Bridge of Uzunköprü Yıldız Palace Complex

Mediterranean	Alahan Monastery Alanya Ancient city of Anazarbus Ancient Cities of Lycian Civilization Ancient City of Kaunos Ancient City of Korykos Archaeological Site of Perge Güllük Dagi-Termessos National Park Mamure Castle Karain Cave Kekova Archaeological Site of Sagalassos St.Paul Church, St.Paul's Well and surrounding historic quarters (in Tarsus, Mersin) St. Pierre Church in Hatay St. Nicholas Church in Demre The Theatre and Aqueducts of the Ancient City of Aspendos Vespasianus Titus Tunnel

Southeastern Anatolia	Archeological Site of Zeugma The Archaeological Site of Göbeklitepe Harran and Sanliurfa İsmail Fakirullah Tomb Mardin Cultural Landscape Yesemek Quarry and Sculpture Workshop Zeynel Abidin Mosque Complex and Mor Yakup (Saint Jacob) Church

All over Turkey	Anatolian Seljuks Madrasahs Seljuk Caravanserais on the route from Denizli to Dogubeyazit Trading Posts and Fortifications on Genoese Trade Routes

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