Remarkable Discovery in Turkey Sheds Light on Hittite History
Unearthing a Piece of the Past
In a groundbreaking archaeological find, a 3,300-year-old clay tablet has been unearthed at Büklükale, located about 100 km from Turkey’s capital Ankara. This remarkably well-preserved artifact offers a glimpse into a tumultuous period of Hittite history, describing a catastrophic invasion of four cities during a time of civil unrest.
Decoding the Ancient Text
The tablet, discovered in May 2023 by archaeologist Kimiyoshi Matsumura, contains cuneiform text in both Hittite and Hurrian languages. The first six lines, written in Hittite, speak of disaster befalling four cities, including the capital Hattusa. The remaining 64 lines comprise a prayer in Hurrian, beseeching the storm god Teššob for victory.
A Window into Hittite Religious Practices
This find not only provides insight into historical events but also sheds light on Hittite religious practices. The use of Hurrian, typically reserved for religious ceremonies, suggests that a Hittite king performed sacred rituals at Büklükale, elevating the site’s significance in the empire.
Historical Context and Implications
Dating to the reign of Tudhaliya II (circa 1380-1370 BCE), the tablet predates the collapse of the Hittite Empire by about 200 years. It reveals a period of internal strife and external threats, with invasions coming from multiple directions. This discovery underscores the long-standing challenges faced by the Hittite Empire, contributing to our understanding of its eventual downfall in the early 12th century BCE.
The tablet from Büklükale stands as a testament to the complex political and religious landscape of the ancient Hittite world, offering researchers invaluable insights into this fascinating civilization.
