3,400-Year-Old Hittite Archive Discovered in Kayalıpınar

During excavations at the Kayalıpınar settlement in Sivas's Yıldızeli district, referred to in ancient sources as Šamuḫa, 3,400-year-old cuneiform tablets and fragments dating to the Hittite King Tudhaliya II were discovered.

Kayalıpınar Excavations and the Importance of the Archive

An important royal archive from the Hittite period was brought to light during archaeological excavations carried out in Kayalıpınar, located in Sivas's Yıldızeli district. According to a statement by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, 131 tablets and fragments were found during the ongoing work.

Traces of Epidemic Diseases

Among the documents in the archive are striking records regarding a high-fever epidemic that spread approximately 3,400 years ago. It was understood that during the disease process, which particularly affected children, the health status of the royal family was monitored through divination and prophecy.

Military Warnings and Demands for War

The tablets also shed light on Hittite military developments. In a letter sent to the king by generals in Western Anatolia, it is stated that the region is surrounded by enemies, and urgent soldiers, horses, and chariots are requested.

Observations of Bird Diviners

The documents at Kayalıpınar provide new information regarding the Hittite belief system and divination practices. The tablets record the journeys made by bird diviners to various regions and the birds they observed.