Anatolian Civilizations and Historical Sites - TEDA

ANATOLIAN CIVILIZATIONS:10x19 antik kentler 8/1/11 10:50 AM Sayfa
Alacahöyük
The site of Alacahöyük is situated in the modern village of
Alacahöyük, which is 22 km. from the town of Alaca, and 45 km. from
Çorum. It is one of those rare mounds, which appear to have been
the site of habitation from the Chalcolithic Period onwards, through
the Early Bronze Age, to the Hittite and post-Hittite Periods.
Hittite remains were first seen here by W. G. Hamilton in 1835, who
introduced them to the outside world. Later, in 1906, a brief
excavation was carried out on behalf of the ‹stanbul Museums by
Hamilton. In 1935 extensive excavations were begun at the O¤uz
Ar›k and Hamit Z. Koflay for the Turkish Historical Association.
Today excavations continue under the directiorship of Prof. Aykut
Ç›naro¤lu. 15 levels containing traces of four different cultures have
been established at the site. The Hittite Period was encountered on
level II, at a date of around 2000-1200, while the ancient Hittite
Period appears on level IV, immediately over the early Bronze age.
This is followed by the Mid-Hittite Period, immediately above, on
level III. Here, the sewage system of the city of the period, together
with the houses and street formations were uncovered. On level II we
find the Great Hittite Period. Current excavations in Alacahöyük are
carried out by Prof. Aykut Ç›naro¤lu.
At this level a major Hittite temple was found, in typical Hittite style
with main courtyard surrounded by chambers and porticoed rooms.
This temple was entered through the southern portal-the sphinx
gate. To the right and left of the gate, which is massive in
construction, and set over an artifical mound, two sphinx are to be
seen. Reliefs portraying hunting and sacrifice scenes are to be seen
on the lower part of the walls to the right and left of the portal. This
gate dates from the Hittite Empire Period (1450-1200 BC) and is
now in the Archaeological Museum, Ankara, while in its place stand
concrete cast of the original.
To the left of the entrance can be seen animals being taken to
sacrifice, and to the left, the figures of priets, acrobats and
musicians. To the right of the gate is the seated figure of the sun
goddess Arinna, accompanied by six figures paying respect to her.
Scenes from the ruins of Alacahöyük.
33