Isparta Atabey Ertokuş Madrasah and Mausoleum: A New Perspective in the Light of Stonemasons’ Marks

Ali Rıza Bilgin

Article Details

Isparta Atabey Ertokuş Madrasah and Mausoleum: A New Perspective in the Light of Stonemasons’ Marks

Authors:

Ali Rıza Bilgin

Publisher:

Istanbul University

Main Topics:

Görsel Sanatlar (Diğer)

Journal:

Art-Sanat Issue 24, pp.156-180

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

12/2025

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001356347

pISSN:

2148-3582

Keywords:

Abstract:

 Since ancient times, marks carved onto the stones of architectural works have been broadly defined and classified in literature as stonemasons marks. While their precise purpose remains debated, these marks are believed to have served various functions, including identifying the stonemason responsible for a particular stone, labeling stones for piecework wages or indicating a stones placement within the structure. Consequently, stonemasons marks offer valuable insights into historical construction practices. The Atabey Ertokuş Madrasah and Mausoleum in Isparta presents a unique case study for art historians due to its unresolved structural and stylistic features. Existing scholarship has broadly outlined these issues and proposed solutions. However, this study recognizes a gap in the current understanding: the potential role of stonemasons marks in elucidating the buildings construction history. To address this lacuna, a comprehensive examination of both structures was undertaken, meticulously recording all carved markings. The collected data was then systema9 tically categorized and analyzed in relation to the stonemasons marks themselves, as well as the architectural characteristics of the buildings. Through this rigorous approach, the study sheds light on the unresolved aspects of the Atabey Ertokuş Madrasah and Mausoleum, proposing novel interpretations based on the stonemasons mark evidence.

 Since ancient times, marks carved onto the stones of architectural works have been broadly defined and classified in literature as stonemasons marks. While their precise purpose remains debated, these marks are believed to have served various functions, including identifying the stonemason responsible for a particular stone, labeling stones for piecework wages or indicating a stones placement within the structure. Consequently, stonemasons marks offer valuable insights into historical construction practices. The Atabey Ertokuş Madrasah and Mausoleum in Isparta presents a unique case study for art historians due to its unresolved structural and stylistic features. Existing scholarship has broadly outlined these issues and proposed solutions. However, this study recognizes a gap in the current understanding: the potential role of stonemasons marks in elucidating the buildings construction history. To address this lacuna, a comprehensive examination of both structures was undertaken, meticulously recording all carved markings. The collected data was then systema9 tically categorized and analyzed in relation to the stonemasons marks themselves, as well as the architectural characteristics of the buildings. Through this rigorous approach, the study sheds light on the unresolved aspects of the Atabey Ertokuş Madrasah and Mausoleum, proposing novel interpretations based on the stonemasons mark evidence.

 Since ancient times, marks carved onto the stones of architectural works have been broadly defined and classified in literature as stonemasons marks. While their precise purpose remains debated, these marks are believed to have served various functions, including identifying the stonemason responsible for a particular stone, labeling stones for piecework wages or indicating a stones placement within the structure. Consequently, stonemasons marks offer valuable insights into historical construction practices. The Atabey Ertokuş Madrasah and Mausoleum in Isparta presents a unique case study for art historians due to its unresolved structural and stylistic features. Existing scholarship has broadly outlined these issues and proposed solutions. However, this study recognizes a gap in the current understanding: the potential role of stonemasons marks in elucidating the buildings construction history. To address this lacuna, a comprehensive examination of both structures was undertaken, meticulously recording all carved markings. The collected data was then systema9 tically categorized and analyzed in relation to the stonemasons marks themselves, as well as the architectural characteristics of the buildings. Through this rigorous approach, the study sheds light on the unresolved aspects of the Atabey Ertokuş Madrasah and Mausoleum, proposing novel interpretations based on the stonemasons mark evidence.

 İlk çağdan itibaren taş kullanılarak inşa edilmiş mimari eserlerde, taşların üzerine kazınan işaretler genel bir tanımlamaya tabi olup alan yazında taşçı işaretleri başlığı altında değerlendirilmiştir. Bu işaretlerin safi kazıma yoluyla değil, aynı zamanda boyanarak işlendiği de bilinmektedir. Taşçı işaretlerinin mahiyetine ilişkin türlü açıkla9 malar mevcutsa da bunların en kabul görenleri, taşı işleyen ustanın imzası, ürün başına ücret alan çalışanların işlediği taşları etiketleme aracı ve taşın duvar örgüsünde yerleşeceği konumu gösteren yönlendirici işaretler olduğu yönündedir. Taşçı işaretlerinin bir yapının inşa sürecine ilişkin sunacağı verilerin önemli bilgiler içerdiği aşikârdır. Isparta Atabey Ertokuş Medresesi ve Türbesi yapısal ve plan özellikleri bakımından sanat tarihi çerçevesinde problemli olarak kabul edilen bir yapıdır. Bu çalışmada, yapıyla ilgili problemler tanımlanarak, diğer araştırmacı9 ların bu konudaki yaklaşımlarına ve çözüm önerilerine yer verilmiştir. Ancak yapıdaki taşçı işaretleri daha önceki çalışmalarda değerlendirilmediği için, bu konunun irdelenmesi gerekliliği doğmuştur. Bu çalışma kapsamında her iki yapı, detaylı bir şekilde incelenmiş ve her iki yapıda da tüm kazımalarişaretler saptanmıştır. Elde edilen veriler ayrıştırılarak saptanan taşçı işaretleri sınıflandırılmış ve çeşitli açılardan değerlendirilerek çözümlenmiştir. Bu bağlamda incelenen her iki yapının mimari özellikleri de değerlendirmeye dâhil edilerek bahsi geçen sorunlara çözüm önerileri sunulmuştur.

Article Details

Isparta Atabey Ertokuş Madrasah and Mausoleum: A New Perspective in the Light of Stonemasons’ Marks

Authors:

Ali Rıza Bilgin

Publisher:

Istanbul University

Main Topics:

Görsel Sanatlar (Diğer)

Journal:

Art-Sanat Issue 24, pp.156-180

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

12/2025

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001356347

pISSN:

2148-3582

Stonemasons’ Marks

Medieval Architecture

Architecture of Anatolian Seljuk Period

Grafitti

Art HistoryTaşçı İşaretleri

Orta Çağ Mimarisi

Anadolu Selçuklu Dönemi Mimarisi

Grafiti

Sanat Tarihi

Issues

Article Details

Authors: Ali Rıza Bilgin

Publisher: Istanbul University

Main Topics: Görsel Sanatlar (Diğer)

Journal: Art-Sanat Issue 24, pp.156-180

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 12/2025

Document Language: Turkish

Document ID (Org No.): 2001356347

pISSN: 2148-3582

Issues

Authors:

Ali Rıza Bilgin

Publisher:

Istanbul University

Main Topics:

Görsel Sanatlar (Diğer)

Journal:

Art-Sanat Issue 24, pp.156-180

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

12/2025

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001356347

pISSN:

2148-3582