THE first archaeological study of the Gallipoli battlefield shows that troops on opposing sides quenched their thirst with different brews. While the Anzacs were more likely to drink rum, beer was the beverage of choice for their Turkish enemies.

The preliminary findings of a joint Australian, New Zealand and Turkish project to identify and record Gallipoli's significant sites before the battle's centenary in 2015 were unveiled by Veterans' Affairs Minister Warren Snowdon yesterday.

Professor Antonio Sagona announces the preliminary findings. Credit:Department of Veterans' Affairs, Antonio Sagona

The study mapped trench systems, 12 cemeteries, concrete boundary markers and tunnels created during the Gallipoli campaign, which began with the dawn landing on April 25, 1915 and ended on January 9 the following year. About 50,000 Australians served during the Gallipoli campaign and more than 8700 died there.

Using GPS technology with accuracy to within 30centimetres, researchers mapped 4000metres of front-line and communications trenches on both sides. When laid over the original 1915 battlefield maps, the two matched.