109-Year-Old Artillery Shells Uncovered
The Gallipoli Wars, which took place 109 years ago, still leave their mark on the region, with recent discoveries of artillery shells in Büyükanafarta village. The village, known for the First Battle of Anafarta, was the site where a farmer’s dog recently gave birth in a maquis area where cannonballs were found.
Upon the farmer’s discovery, the Gallipoli Historical Site Presidency and District Gendarmerie Command teams were called in to investigate the area. Through detector scans, they uncovered 18 150-millimeter artillery shells buried in the ground, some of which were deemed risky and in need of disposal by an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team.
Plans are now in place to determine the origins of the artillery shells, which may belong to Ottoman Krupp guns or howitzer batteries from Austria-Hungary. The ongoing work, led by Mert Çatalbaş, Museums Coordinator for the Çanakkale Wars Gallipoli Historical Site Presidency, is expected to last around 10 days.
As this excavation work continues, measures are being taken to ensure the safety of the surrounding area. Any shells deemed hazardous will be destroyed on site, while those posing no threat may be displayed for visitors. The discoveries in Büyükanafarta serve as a reminder of the lasting impact of the Gallipoli Wars and the ongoing efforts to preserve its history.
