Unusual 2,300-Year-Old Cemetery Unearthed in Hattusa

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Archaeologists in the Hittite capital of Hattusa have discovered 2,300-year-old graves from the Hellenistic and Galatian eras, containing an intact skeleton and a knife.

Unusual 2,300-Year-Old Cemetery Unearthed in Hattusa
Image credit: Ensonhaber

A new cemetery area dating back approximately 2,300 years to the Early Hellenistic and Galatian periods has been discovered in the ancient city of Hattusa, located in the Boğazkale district of Çorum, which served as the capital of the Hittite Empire for centuries. These findings, unearthed during excavations conducted by the German Archaeological Institute, are of great importance for understanding the funerary traditions and cultural structure of the ancient city during the post-Hittite period.

The excavation team, led by Professor Andreas Schachner, discovered the cemetery while investigating the area surrounding a previously identified granary on the Northwest Slope of the ancient city [1]. One of the three graves unearthed this year stands out from the others due to its almost completely preserved architectural structure and the intact skeleton found inside [2]. Surrounded by a stone wall approximately 7 meters in diameter, this stone cist grave is considered one of the best-preserved examples of funerary architecture in the region.

The Mystery of the Knife on the Shoulder

A knife positioned at the level of the right shoulder of the adult skeleton inside the stone cist grave has drawn the attention of archaeologists. It remains unclear whether this knife was a personal possession of the deceased or a grave offering presented as part of a burial ritual. Researchers aim to obtain more precise information regarding the function of the knife once the grave is fully excavated and laboratory analyses are completed.

Graves Shedding Light on the Post-Hittite Period

While a total of 8 graves have been uncovered during work in the same area over the last two years, the number of graves from this period has risen to 17 when combined with finds from previous years [3]. In graves previously excavated in the region, various personal items such as coins and cosmetic utensils were discovered. While experts are considering the possibility that the individual in the newly discovered grave may have been male, they note that previous graves predominantly contained female skeletons.

These new discoveries in Hattusa, a UNESCO World Heritage site, will be opened to visitors following restoration work. Detailed investigations will add a new link to history regarding the social lives, beliefs, and daily habits of the communities that inhabited the region approximately 2,300 years ago.

References and Further Reading

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