Cuneiform tablets from the reign of King Tudhaliya II discovered in Kayalıpınar excavations
Thousands of years old cuneiform tablets belonging to the Hittite royal archive have been unearthed during excavations in Kayalıpınar, Sivas.
During excavation work at the Kayalıpınar settlement in the Yıldızeli district of Sivas, 131 cuneiform tablets and fragments dating to the period of Hittite King Tudhaliya II were discovered.
Important Discovery in Excavation Works
Excavation work continues at the historical settlement located in the Yıldızeli district of Sivas, referred to as Samua in Old Assyrian and Hittite sources.
Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy announced that numerous new artifacts belonging to the reign of King Tudhaliya II were found during the 2026 excavation season.
Royal Archive Expands
Together with the tablets found last season, the total number has reached 184, forming a significant archive.
As a result of these developments, the royal archive in Kayalıpınar has gained the distinction of being the most comprehensive Hittite archive unearthed in the 21st century.
Content of Historical Documents
Written in Hittite and Hurrian, these valuable documents shed light on life from approximately 3,400 years ago.
The tablets contain details regarding state administration, military developments, the world of belief, and events experienced by the royal family.
Epidemic Disease and a Baby Princess
Historical records show traces of an epidemic with high fever that spread from city to city at that time, affecting children and babies.
The health condition, death, and funeral ritual performed for a baby princess who fell ill are also among the texts found on the tablets.
Military Letters and Threats
Letters sent to the king by Hittite generals in Western Anatolia are also among the deciphered documents.
These letters reveal that urgent requests were made to the central administration for soldiers, horses, and chariots against enemy threats.