Ottoman tombstones with examples from Altınordu and Perşembe district in Ordu province

Whether people believe in the existence of a second world or not, death is an inevitable end for every living thing. As is clearly seen in the holy books, human beings are created mortal. According to the Turks, "death" is a transition from the temporary to the permanent. For the Turks, only the "body" is mortal, and the "soul" is immortal. After death, people will be reborn into their new life, which is eternal. Turks have various customs and burial traditions about death, which are shaped around the belief in the other world. Although the traces of the tradition of opening a burial place and erecting a tombstone for a deceased person, which started in Central Asia, can be seen in Anatolia, it has been determined that some innovations have been made in terms of form, material and unique ornamental composition over time. Ottoman period tombstones are historical sources in terms of presenting us with the name, title, profession, dynasty names, date of death of the deceased, as well as the social, cultural life, style and literary aspect of the period. Tombstones are rapidly disappearing day by day as a result of nature and human destruction. It is important to document the tombstones that have witnessed our Turkish cultural history, to keep the tradition alive and to pass it on to future generations. Documenting tombstones, which carry all the values of a society like a trace on them, and transferring them to future generations is only possible with a scientific study. The subject of the thesis is the tombstones of the Ottoman period in the cemeteries of Altınordu and Persembe districts of Ordu province. 92 tombs belonging to the Ottoman period have been identified. Of the 92 grave specimens, 54 have head and foot stones. The footstone of 38 grave specimens does not exist today. The aim of this study is to present a comprehensive study that includes the changes in the tomb culture and tombstone erecting tradition, which continues uninterruptedly in Turkish culture. Of the tombstones identified, analysis of form, material and processing techniques, as well as the iconographic meanings of the symbols engraved on tombstones; It is important in terms of eliminating the deficiencies in the literature and contributing to the academic studies planned to be carried out in the future.