Researchers in Turkey have reportedly identified the location where Alexander the Great fought against Persians in the famous Battle of the Granicus.
According to media reports, a team led by Archaeology Professor Reyhan Körpe, of Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University (ÇOMÜ) has pinpointed the exact site of the 2,400-year-old-battle in northwest Turkey, about 10 kilometres north of the city of Biga.
It came after 20 years of research in the region, which had been flagged by researchers as a possible site since the 19th century.
Körpe’s team said they uncovered evidence supporting the suggestion, and conducted surface surveys and geomorphological tests which also led them to discover the route Alexander took to reach the battle site.
Fought in 334 BC, the Battle of Granicus saw Alexander’s forces defeat the Persians in a milestone war event that signified the establishment of Alexander’s foothold in Persian territory.
In an email communication with Live Science, Prof Körpe commented:
“The Battle of Granicus was not only one of the most significant turning points in Alexander’s life, later earning him the epithet ‘the Great,’ but [was] also a pivotal moment in world history.”
The battle is considered Alexander’s “most important” one, Prof Körpe said.
“Because, after this victory, he went on to conquer western Anatolia and, later, all of Asia Minor, reaching as far as India.”
Among scholars not involved with the research team who were called to comment, Graham Wrightson, a history professor at South Dakota State University, said the findings were “exciting” but cautioned against rushed conclusions.
“We’ll have to wait more years now to see what artefacts come out of the annual digs,” he said.
