Millennia-old Hittite construction found in central Turkey

Nine layers of millenia-old ruins dating back to the ancient Hittite civilization were discovered in central Turkey, an archaeologist said on Thursday.

Credit: AA

"We have identified nine layers of construction belonging to the Hittite period," Kimiyoshi Matsumura told Anadolu Agency in Kirikkale, where the dig site is located.

Matsumura said he and his team unearthed a city wall dating back to 600-700 BC, adding that the team had found a layer underneath dating back to 14th century BC.

Credit: AA

The excavation area covers a huge city, Matsumura said adding that the team would continue work even if it took more than 100 years to unearth the entire area.

Matsumura said the archaeologists discovered clay tablets dating back to the Hittites that are suspected of being diplomatic letters between two countries.

Credit: AA

"It was also written in this letter that a messenger was sent who did not return," Matsumura added.

Matsumura said they had also discovered a bone seal belonging to the Hittite capital of Bogazkoy (Hattusha) currently located in Turkey’s central Corum province, further evidence that the city was related to the Hittites.

Credit: AA

Matsumura said a glass bottle dating back to around 1700 BC was also discovered in the excavation site.

"This is one of the oldest glass bottles in the world, a similar one was discovered in Bogazkoy," he said.

Credit: AA

Matsumura added that the bottle's presence "offered new ideas about the production of glass bottles."

Author: Erdogan Cagatay Zontur | Source: Anadolu Agency [May 17, 2019]