Archaeologists have reportedly pinpointed the location of a pivotal battle led by Alexander the Great over 2,300 years ago.

The ancient battlefield was discovered near the Biga River, previously known as the Granicus, in Canakkale Province, northwestern Turkey, according to local news source Turkiye Today. 

The Battle of the Granicus, which took place in 334 BC, marked Alexander’s first major triumph in his campaign against the Persian Achaemenid Empire.

This clash holds historical significance as it signalled the start of Alexander’s conquest of Asia Minor, an area largely corresponding to present-day Turkey.

His victory at Granicus set the stage for further successes that ultimately led to the collapse of the Persian Achaemenid Empire. It also laid the groundwork for the Hellenization of vast regions of Asia, leaving a lasting imprint on the territories Alexander seized.

Alexander the Great reigned over the ancient kingdom of Macedon, located in the northeastern part of the Greek peninsula, from 336 BC until his death in 323 BC at the age of 32.

Throughout his rule, he embarked on extensive military campaigns, forging one of the largest empires ever seen, stretching from Greece to northwestern India. Undefeated in combat, he is widely regarded as one of history’s most accomplished military leaders.

Reyhan Korpe, an archaeologist from Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University (COMU), told Turkiye Today: “[The Battle of the Granicus] is considered one of the most pivotal moments in world history.

“Following his victory here, Alexander went on to conquer Western Anatolia and much of Asia, extending his empire into India.”

Two decades ago, Korpe took the lead on a mission to unearth the precise spot where this significant clash unfolded, a quest that has recently reached a successful resolution.

Korpe added: “Our research, combined with a careful reading of ancient sources, has led us to pinpoint the exact location of the battle, the villages involved, and its position within the plains.”

The team has also charted the course that Alexander’s army took on their way to their historic encounter.

Korpe explained: “We mapped out the exact route Alexander traveled, beginning in Ozbek village, crossing through Umurbey, Lapseki, and ultimately descending into the Biga Plain.”

With these discoveries in place, there’s a buzz of excitement as plans are set in motion to transform the battlefield into a famed tourist destination, marking its inclusion in the ambitious “Alexander the Great Cultural Route” project.