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THE EXCAVATION
OF VAN - ZEVE MASS-GRAVE
Armenian Massacres in Van - Interview with Witnesses
In the excavations that
were started on April 4th 1990 in the cemetery
for martyrs near Zeve which is in the vicinity of Citören
Village that is located at 18 km. north-west of Van province,
in accordance with oral statements of the eyewitness "Ibrahim
Sargin" who witnessed the event, after removal of 30-40
cm thick earth, massacred human skeletons were found. It was
observed that some of the skulls were broken, some were crushed
and some were cracked and burnt. The most important findings
of the excavations were poniard (khanjars) and daggers, a
lot of cartridges, pieces of silk clothes, necklaces with
bead of Sultan Reshad's monogram, amulets covered with wax,
copper coins and glass buttons.
When these findings are combined with the statements of the
eyewitness, the following information are obtained: The Armenian
guerrillas who entered the district under Russian support
in 1915 started attacking the villages, killing innocent Turkish
and Moslem people. The Armenian guerillas brought into Zeve
village about 2000-2500 people who were gathered by force
from eight villages in the district and were put in houses
and barns. They first tortured these people with piercing
and cutting tools and then opened fire at them. Then, they
set all houses on fire. Materials found in the excavation
have been exhibited at
" Massacre Section" in Van Museum.
Prof. Dr. Cevat BASARAN
Archaeologist
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