While researching 19th-century Ottoman archival materials, I encountered a formally recorded report dated 19 October 1838 describing an unusual night-time luminous phenomenon observed in the Mardin region of the Ottoman Empire.

Important clarification:
This post does not present the event as a UFO encounter or evidence of non-human technology. It is shared strictly as a historically documented observation of an unexplained natural or atmospheric phenomenon, recorded through official administrative channels.

Summary of the archival record

According to the archival description:

  • A suddenly appearing, circular bright light was observed in the night sky
  • The light reportedly illuminated the surrounding area
  • It then fragmented and descended, after which it disappeared
  • The event was witnessed by both local civilians and Ottoman soldiers
  • A formal report was submitted to state authorities
  • The document does not describe any physical object, craft, beings, or contact

The record itself avoids supernatural explanations. However, contemporary local interpretations reportedly framed the event as a divine sign, reflecting how unusual celestial phenomena were commonly understood in the 19th century.

Research context

Such reports appear occasionally in Ottoman administrative records and are typically written in a descriptive rather than interpretive manner. They offer insight into:

  • How pre-modern societies documented anomalous natural events
  • The role of state bureaucracy in recording unusual observations
  • The limits of scientific interpretation available at the time

Questions for discussion

From a scientific and historical perspective, how might such an event be interpreted today?

  • As a rare atmospheric phenomenon (e.g., ball lightning or plasma effects)?
  • As an astronomical event (e.g., meteor, bolide, or fireball)?
  • As an example of pre-modern observational reporting, shaped by cultural context rather than modern scientific frameworks?

Sources (for context)

  • Evgeni Radushev & O. Sabev, Did the Ottomans see unusual celestial phenomena? An 1838 Ottoman document — Bilkent University Institutional Repository
  • Anadolu Agency coverage discussing Ottoman archival records of unusual celestial events

I would appreciate insights from those familiar with historical atmospheric phenomena, astronomical transients, or Ottoman archival practices. All good-faith, evidence-based discussion is welcome.

  • It's interesting. The first thing I did was look for the Evgeni Radushev & O. Sabev source. The PDF is at this link. Then I wanted to check if Radushev was a genuine historian. His CV shows he's a genuine (retired) professor in socioeconomic history.

    The PDF link is the chapter that includes the OP story. The chapter has several familiar accounts of balls of light and unusual phenomena. Even George Eberhart hasn't included these reports in his UFO chronologies (nor Aubeck & Vallee).

    The writers seem like what I call classical ufologists or Forteans. They stack up probabilities and recognise time and setting. Ball lightning is suggested and weighed against the religious, superstitious beliefs of the times. Scientific explanations (meteorological and whatever) are prioritised and, even when none fit, they don't suggest djinn or aliens and instead leave them unexplained.

    parent

  • The full extract:

    "The humble servant reports about the following:

    This year, on the thirtieth day of the holy month Receb4, on Thursday at midnight, around half past four o’clock, in accordance with the command of God a heavy storm burst and deep darkness enveloped all around. At this moment a wondrous bright shine (nur-i ‘azim ‘alâmeti), as big as a round tray (sini), appeared in the sky from the direction between Mecca and the East, lighting up and illuminating the whole horizon as though it was a day. [Then] all thepeople became afraid and began praying for mercy. Afterwards the bright shine (nur-i ‘azim) broke into pieces in the sky, falling down to the earth.

    This divine miracle has been seen and observed [by the populace] not only in Mardin, but also by the regular Ottoman troops camping in the village of Harzem5, as well as by many others. According to the soldiers’ accounts when the bright shine (nur-i ‘azim) fell apart on the earth, the edges of their scimitars and bayonets, stacked in the guard’s shelter, shined like candles and their shine remained bright despite the efforts of the soldiers to clean them up. A few minutes later this large piece of light vanished completely. The Muslim theologians of Mardin claim that this is a divine sign (‘alamet) of the victorious future of our sultan, as well as an omen for the wellbeing of all the Muslims. [This event] was reported to Your Majesty since such meaningful events are quite rare and therefore they should be scrupulously recorded.

    It was written on the second day of the great month Shaban in the year 12546 by the humble servant Es-Seyyid Hacı İsmail Hakkı, substitute kadi (naib) of Mardin, who prays for the eternity of your life.”

    parent

    Thanks for checking the sources and sharing the extract — much appreciated.

    That’s exactly the point I was aiming for: at the time, people lacked scientific terminology for such phenomena, so they described what they saw using the concepts and language available to them. What’s interesting here is that the document focuses on observation rather than speculation.

    Appreciate your thoughtful input.

    parent root

    I prefer older reports so thanks a lot for posting something old that's new to me. This one's curious, isn't it? Part of it sounds fictional and cinematic like the edges of blades shining. The religious interpretation, like you say, is standard for the times and was appended after the incident. The duration sounds less fictional and more observational. So it's a difficult account to favour an explanation.

    parent root