Japanese archaeologist discovers 3,300-year-old tablet filled with secrets of the Hittite Empire

Archaeologist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kimiyoshi Matsumura, who is conducting excavation works in Kırıkkale, found a 3,300-year-old tablet from the Hittite Empire in the Büklükale excavation area. This significant discovery from the Hittite period sheds light on the dark pages of history. The tablet containing information about the religious ceremonies of the Hittite royal family highlights the name of Arzawa king Tarhuntarado.

In Büklükale, located in the Karakeçili district of Kırıkkale, the team of the Japanese Anatolian Archaeology Institute led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kimiyoshi Matsumura has made important discoveries during the excavation works that have been ongoing for 15 years. The traces of thousands of years of history are being brought to light in the excavation area consisting of two archaeological fields named the ‘Lower city’ and the ‘Upper city.’ A 3,300-year-old cuneiform tablet belonging to the Hittite Empire was found during the excavation works. This tablet, inscribed in Hittite and Hurrian languages, narrates the religious ceremonies of the Hittite royal family.

Büklükale, a city of strategic importance in the Hittite Empire
The tablet also mentions a foreign invasion that ended in disaster for the Hittite Empire. Additionally, the mention of the name of Arzawa king Tarhuntarado in the tablet is remarkable. This name had previously been identified in tablets found in the city of Amarna in Egypt. This discovery made in Büklükale excavation area indicates that the region was a city of strategic importance in the Hittite Empire. This significant discovery unearthed during the excavation works continues to shed light on the dark pages of history.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kimiyoshi Matsumura, the Head of Excavations and a faculty member in the Archaeology Department at Ahi Evran University in Kırşehir, stated to the IHA reporter that the tablet indicates that the Hittite king and queen performed Hurrian religious ceremonies. Matsumura mentioned that the Hurrian-inscribed tablet is found only in Boğazköy, Ortaköy, and Kayalıpınar in Anatolia, where it is known for sure that the Hittite royal family resided. He expressed his surprise at the discovery of the tablet in Büklükale, the fourth settlement. He emphasized that this finding indicates its connection to the Hittite royal family and suggests that Büklükale must have been one of the very important cities.

‘Indicative of the connection with the Hittite royal family’
Matsumura explained, ‘The discovery of the Hurrian tablet shows that the Hittite king and queen came here and performed Hurrian religious ceremonies. They definitely came here. Perhaps they might have even resided here for a while, but we do not know for sure. The Hurrian-inscribed tablet is found only in three settlements in Anatolia: Boğazköy, Ortaköy (Çorum), Kayalıpınar (Sivas). We know for sure that the Hittite royal family lived there. The discovery of the tablet in Büklükale, the fourth settlement, is quite surprising. Matsumura also noted that a Hurrian-inscribed tablet was found in Büklükale. He believes that this tablet is also related to the Hittite royal family. He added that they will continue to investigate the mystery of why the Hurrian-inscribed prayer found only in Katapa was discovered in Büklükale.

‘Why is the name Katapa found here?’
Matsumura described the tablet as a major discovery, saying, ‘It describes how to pray in Hittite and contains prayer texts in Hurrian. The biggest discovery or surprise in this text is the emergence of the name of a city called Katapa. It is not yet clear why the prayer that should have been made in Katapa was found in Büklükale. This great mystery needs to be solved.’

‘Surprising to find it in Büklükale’
Matsumura mentioned that Tarhuntarado, whose name is mentioned in the tablet, was also found in a tablet discovered in the city of Amarna in Egypt in the 1890s. He said, ‘Furthermore, personal names are also included in this tablet. The most significant name among these personal names is the name of Arzawa king Tarhuntarado. The name of Arzawa king Tarhuntarado was identified in tablets found in the city of Amarna in the 1890s. The city of Amarna, where Tarhuntarado, famous worldwide, was built by IV. Amenhotep, his father. A letter sent by III. Amenhotep to Arzawa king Tarhuntarado was found in the tablet there. It states that Boğazköy has been invaded. It shows the intention to strengthen relations by forming a diplomatic marriage with the Arzawa king. The fact that the name of the king involved in such a major event is found in Büklükale is very surprising.’