Hattusha: the Hittite Capital

World Heritage Research

Discover scientific research and academic studies that deepen our understanding of Hattusha: the Hittite Capital from its history and significance to its conservation, management, and contemporary challenges.

• Geochemical and petrographic approach for the origin of the limestone blocks of thewalls of the Great Temple of Hattusha, Çorum (N-Turkey)

  A groundbreaking analysis of the limestone blocks used in the Great Temple at Hattusha, the ancient Hittite capital, reveals that these stones likely originated from five distinct sources. This conclusion is drawn from a comprehensive study combining petrographic and geochemical analyses, including stable isotopes (δ13C and δ18O) and trace element geochemistry, alongside Sr isotope ratios. The findings not only shed light on the construction techniques of this monumental structure but also provide valuable insights into the Hittites' acquisition and utilization of building materials during their civilization.

  YILMAZ, İ. Ö., SCHACHNER, A., UYSAL, İ. T., & İMER, E. Ü. (2022). Geochemical and petrographic approach for the origin of the limestone blocks of thewalls of the Great Temple of Hattusha, Çorum (N-Turkey). Turkish Journal of Earth Sciences, 31(3), 294–304. https://doi.org/10.55730/1300-0985.1774

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• The agroecology of an early state: new results from Hattusha

  A remarkable archaeological discovery at Hattusha, the Late Bronze Age capital of the Hittite Empire, reveals a vast underground silo complex containing intact grain stores. This finding offers an unprecedented glimpse into how the Hittite state mobilized crop production through extensive, low-input cultivation strategies, primarily focusing on hulled wheats and barley. By combining archaeobotanical analysis with stable isotope determinations and functional weed ecology, researchers have uncovered new insights into Hittite agricultural practices and their political implications. The study highlights how taxation of extensively produced grain in the 16th century BCE sustained this ancient state, providing broader implications for understanding the politics and ecology of expansive territorial states in Western Asia.

  Diffey, C., Neef, R., Seeher, J., & Bogaard, A. (2020). The agroecology of an early state: new results from Hattusha. Antiquity, 94(377), 1204–1223. https://doi.org/10.15184/aqy.2020.172

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• Hittite Empire

  Hattusha, the capital of the Hittite Empire, stands as one of the most significant archaeological sites in the Ancient Near East. Excavations at the site have uncovered thousands of clay tablets inscribed with cuneiform texts, offering unprecedented insights into the history and culture of Anatolia and its neighboring regions during the second millennium BCE. These records reveal the Hittites' transition from a regional kingdom to an interregional empire, showcasing their political influence and cultural significance in the pre-classic world. Despite their eventual decline at the end of the Bronze Age, the Hittite Empire remains a pivotal subject for understanding ancient Indo-European civilizations.

  Giusfredi, F. (2016). Hittite Empire. The Encyclopedia of Empire, 1–7. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118455074.wbeoe265

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• The Pillars of the Earth and the Sky

  Ancient cities were strategically designed to align with cosmic order, particularly the sun's solstitial movements. A comparative study of four 'solstitial' cities—Thebes (Egypt), Hattusha (Hittite Empire), Carthago Nova (Carthaginian dominions in Iberia), and Petra (Nabataean Kingdom)—reveals a shared pattern: their geographical positions, orography, and monumental orientations were deliberately linked to solar benchmarks. This suggests that Mediterranean societies with strong solar cults or symbolism employed similar urban planning principles, connecting sacred spaces with solstitial orientations. The research uses archaeoastronomy to analyze how these cities integrated astronomical observations into their layouts, offering insights into the religious and cultural significance of solar hierophanies in ancient urban development.

  Belmonte, J. A., & González-García, A. C. (2015). The Pillars of the Earth and the Sky. Journal of Skyscape Archaeology, 1(1), 9–38. https://doi.org/10.1558/jsa.v1i1.26952

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• The ponds of Hattuša – early groundwater management in the Hittite kingdom

  Research at Hattusha, the ancient capital of the Hittite Empire (1650–1200 BC), reveals that the city's large-scale ponds were likely supplied by exfiltrating groundwater rather than through long-distance pipelines. Groundwater monitoring from 2009 to 2011 showed seasonal fluctuations in water levels, rising above former pond surfaces during winter and dropping in summer. This suggests the Hittites tapped into slope aquifers, leveraging artesian sources similar to modern willow fountains in the region. The findings challenge earlier assumptions about water supply systems, demonstrating an advanced understanding of groundwater management in ancient urban planning.

  Wittenberg, H., & Schachner, A. (2013). The ponds of Hattuša – early groundwater management in the Hittite kingdom. Water Supply, 13(3), 692–698. https://doi.org/10.2166/ws.2013.025

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• Thinking Hattusha: Astronomy and Landscape in the Hittite Lands

  Astronomical and topographical orientations were not random in Hittite temples, contrary to previous assumptions. This study reveals well-defined patterns in the orientation of Hittite monuments, providing insights into their cultural and religious significance within the Anatolian context. By analyzing a statistically significant sample of Hittite temples and gates, along with preliminary Phrygian data, researchers demonstrate that these orientations were purposeful and linked to solar cults and festival calendars. The findings challenge earlier skepticism about Hittite interest in celestial phenomena and contribute to understanding the transition from Late Bronze Age to Early Iron Age religious practices.

  García, A. C. G., & Belmonte, J. A. (2011). Thinking Hattusha: Astronomy and Landscape in the Hittite Lands. Journal for the History of Astronomy, 42(4), 461–494. https://doi.org/10.1177/002182861104200404

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