The ruins with specially marked tiles lead experts to believe this may be the palace of Hulagu Khan.
A Turkish-Mongolian research team has reported that they may have discovered the ruins of a magnificent palace built for Hulagu Khan, the grandson of Genghis Khan, in Van Province, eastern Turkey, according to Live Science on July 23.
Painting of Hulagu Khan with his wife. (Image: CPA Media Pte Ltd/Alamy)
Hulagu Khan (circa 1217 – 1265) was a Mongolian khan known for leading military campaigns in the Middle East and for the notorious capture of Baghdad in 1258, which resulted in the destruction of much of the city and the execution of Baghdad’s leader, Caliph Al-Musta’sim Billah.
The unity of the Mongol Empire ended in 1259, following the death of Mongke, another grandson of Genghis Khan. A smaller Mongol Empire, led by Hulagu Khan, known as the Ilkhanate, emerged in the Middle East. The Ilkhanate lasted only a short time and collapsed in the early 14th century, with its final ruins destroyed by 1357.
Historical records mention a palace in the region but do not provide an exact location. Experts are excavating a palace, but it appears this site has been significantly looted. “The ruins of Hulagu Khan’s palace are now completely damaged”, said Munkhtulga Rinchinkhorol, an archaeologist at the Mongolian Academy of Sciences and a member of the excavation team.
Here, the research team found remnants of glazed tile roofs, bricks, and three-color glazed pottery. A significant discovery was the tiles bearing symbols resembling the ‘s’ symbol or svastika pattern – one of the symbols of power among the Mongol khans, according to Rinchinkhorol.
Various svastika patterns were used in ancient and medieval times. The tiles with this symbol are a crucial reason researchers believe they have found a palace belonging to Hulagu Khan. The artifacts, combined with historical records of Mongol presence, suggest that the palace dates back to the time of the Ilkhanate.
However, some scientists not involved in the excavation caution that more research is needed before confirming that the ruins in Van Province belong to Hulagu Khan. “It could be the palace of Hulagu Khan“, stated Timothy May, a professor at the University of North Georgia. However, he emphasized the need for more information before reaching a definitive conclusion. “This new discovery is very interesting, but more information is still required”, agreed Michael Hope, an expert at Yonsei University.
