Dr. Ali AKBABA gave a briefing about the studies covered by the anthropological analyses of skeletons within the scope of the Malazgirt Battlefield Detection Historical and Archaeological Surface Research Project, its methodology and how the data obtained from these studies are used in demographic analyses, the history of Ancient DNA (aDNA) studies and the stages of the study. The curious questions of the students attracted attention.
The students, who were impressed by the concrete examples of the “Battle of Malazgirt”, an event that took place in the early stages of Seljuk history, stated that they were pleased with this field study. Our Vice Rector received information about the laboratory from Dr. Ali AKBABA during the visit, which was also honored by the Vice Rector and Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences Prof. Dr. Talat KÖRPINAR. GESOM Director and Vice Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences While Esra ÇIPLAK drew attention to the concrete sources of historical data, GESOM Vice Director and Chemistry Department Head Prof. Dr. Nevin TURAN ÖZEK stated that the finding of bone age was found in C14 isotope analysis. In response to the question of which parts of the skeleton the DNA samples were taken from, it was stated that they were taken from teeth and, in recent years, from the bone or connections in the ear. In the event attended by the Vice Dean of the Faculty of Islamic Sciences, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Şirin GÜL, Professor Şirin made contributions regarding Islamic burial traditions. The students of the History Department got to know the science of Anthropology during this visit. Dr. Ali AKBABA thanked our Rector Prof. Dr. Mustafa ALİCAN for his efforts in the establishment and functioning of this laboratory and for his unwavering support. After the event that lasted approximately two hours, Dr. Ali AKBABA was thanked and asked to explain these studies to the students and professors of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
